Kobe Bryant Defends Andrew Bynum, but Won't Pass to Him

This is the paradox of the Kobe Bryant-Andrew Bynum relationship. Bryant defends Bynum in the press, even going so far as to create a rationale for the big man's ill-timed three-point shooting. But when the whistle blows, the ball stays with Kobe.

Last game was a bit of an exception. The Lakers moved the rock quite nicely, especially in crunch time. Still, in the end, Bryant had 25 shots to Bynum's 12, 40 percent shooting to the center's 66 percent.

Some of this is the nature of the game. Perimeter players shoot more, and big guys aren't always open. But it is difficult to closely watch a quarter of Lakers basketball without thinking that Kobe should perhaps drop it down low a bit more often. 

There is an interesting dynamic behind the one on the court. By many accounts, most saliently Roland Lazenby's, Bynum is Jim Buss' favorite. It would seem that the center—though occasionally petulant—commands some political power in LA's front office. A cynical person might regard Kobe's pro-Bynum comments as a concession to a new political reality. Talk nicely about Buss' guy, and it will make life a bit easier. If Mike Brown and Andrew Bynum clash, side with the former.

Perhaps this public Kobe concession allows him the room to shoot at will, to rebuke those Bynum compliments with his actions. Or perhaps Andrew Bynum has really earned that respect from Mr. Bryant, and these press comments are genuine, honest expressions. You can never quite tell with Kobe.