Lakers vs. Thunder: Andrew Bynum Has His Game Face On, Ready for Game 2

Andrew Bynum was fined $15,000 by the NBA for skipping a post-practice media session. And that could mean scary things for the Oklahoma City Thunder bigs.

This wasn't a mistake.

In his seventh year as an NBA player with multiple playoff runs, Bynum knows the drill. You make yourself available to the media during the playoffs after each practice.

That's just how the hype machine works.

But after Game 1's throttling versus the Oklahoma City Thunder and the genuine strategy session Pau Gasol and Big Drew had on the bench long after each team left the arena, Bynum was in no mood to be sharing his thoughts with reporters following Tuesday's practice.

And why would he be?

Given the intense discussions he was having with fellow big man Gasol on the bench Monday night, Bynum's already got his game face on and is ready to come out large in Game 2.

What's $15,000 to Bynum when it's all about maintaining your intensity and edge over your opponent in a seven-game series?

Does this show a lapse in judgement? Who cares.

He certainly doesn't care what you think.

And Laker fans shouldn't either.

If anything, the silent treatment of the media is positive affirmation that we won't see the same Bynum from last round's Game 3 who openly admitted to "not being ready" when speaking with reporters after the Lakers' 99-84 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

And that moment of candor was free.

This time, Bynum's not giving anything up for free, which can only mean good things for the Lakers.

From all we can tell, Big Drew is ready to impose his will on Game 2 and bring his team a much-needed road victory with physical, dominant play in the paint.

Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins, Nazr Mohammed and Nick Collison better be ready, because I'll bet you $15,000 Andrew Bynum will be.