LA Lakers: Andrew Bynum Is a Great Player, but Not in a Kobe Bryant Sort of Way

There were several reasons the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Houston Rockets on Friday night, but if you are searching for one defining moment to explain the loss, look no further than center Andrew Bynum's ejection early in the fourth quarter.

Bynum is making a habit of getting thrown out of close games against the Rockets, and not coincidentally, the Lakers have lost both times it has happened.

The most recent incident began late in the third quarter when Bynum took exception to a routine foul from Rockets center Samuel Dalembert.

Bynum drew a technical for mouthing off at Dalembert, and he later earned his second after turning to the Rockets bench and again mouthing off after a made basket.

At least this time Bynum made his way directly to the locker room instead of taking time to mingle with the fans sitting courtside.

The loss does not fall solely on Bynum's shoulders since most of the Lakers turned in a less than inspiring performance, but it was an important turn of events, and even the Rockets acknowledged that.

Via CBSSports.com: "It changed a lot," Houston coach Kevin McHale said. "Bynum was a guy we had to double-team and focus a lot on the defensive end to try to get the ball out of his hands."

McHale's brief statement after the game did little justice to describing how the remaining energy was sucked out of the building as Bynum exited the court.

The Lakers had just pulled within one point at 84-83 when Bynum was ejected, and after briefly capturing a one-point lead, it was pretty much downhill the rest of the way.

Bynum, aided by a period of good health, has blossomed into a legitimate NBA star this season. The only problem is he knows it but hasn't developed the maturity level needed to handle it.

Bynum's transgressions have certainly hurt his team, and his childish behavior in critical moments should silence any talk about Bynum being the Lakers' best player.

As if he ever was.

Yesterday I wrote an article that theorized Bynum would have to earn his first NBA Finals award in order for Kobe Bryant to win his sixth ring, and after watching the Lakers deflate upon Bynum's departure, I feel no different.

Bynum will have to be the Lakers' most important player if they hope to make a playoff push that ends with an NBA Finals trip, but that doesn't mean he is the team's best player.

The Lakers' best player was on the court with his teammates trying to find a way to win after Bynum had once again let them down.

Some people have equated Bynum's importance to the Lakers with the role as the team's best player, but his brashness, insecurity and lack of leadership immediately disqualify him from that title.

Bynum does have the skill to one day be recognized as the Lakers' top player, but until that day arrives, he should pay a little more attention to how Bryant carries himself.

Bynum is young, and at a similar age Bryant was prone to some of the same emotional outbursts that Bynum is guilty of, but they rarely ended with Bryant being tossed from games.

Bryant learned to temper his emotions and respond with his game, which is a lesson that would certainly benefit Bynum and the Lakers.

In his 16th season, Bryant still has enough talent to lead the NBA in scoring, and he definitely has the fortitude to push the Lakers deep into the playoffs, but he's going to need some help from Bynum along the way.

At this point, it's not really important who the Lakers' best player is, but for the record a player can't earn that title on the strength of a shortened season.

I am one of Bynum's biggest supporters, but I also realize he is still learning how to play a game Kobe has already mastered.