L.A. Lakers Center Andrew Bynum Receives Shortened Suspension

The NBA must really be feeling sorry for the Los Angeles Lakers.

First, they vetoed the Chris Paul trade (which basically forced them to deal a newly unhappy Lamar Odom to the defending champion Dallas Mavericks), then they allow the other Los Angeles team to trade for CP3 and instantly make them relevant in the Western Conference. Then Kobe Bryant injures his wrist in a preseason game against the very same L.A. Clippers.

Now, with the shortened season due to the lockout, the NBA is shortening the suspension of L.A. Lakers center Andrew Bynum, according to The Los Angeles Times. Originally a five-game suspension, Bynum will only have to sit out four games to start the season. Some say this is the NBA's attempt to rectify the situation between them and the Lakers organization.

Since when does a shortened season merit the reducing of a suspension? A five-game suspension should be a five-game suspension, no matter what. This isn't prison where you can get out early if you display good behavior. The five-game suspension was decided upon because of the severity of Bynum's actions. Did the penalty not fit the crime?

If NBA teams played 100 games this season, do you think the league would change Bynum's suspension to eight games instead of five? No. Would you hear all of Laker Land clamoring to extend Bynum's suspension because it's "unfair to the rest of the league?" Most definitely not.

And if that was the case (that the NBA played a longer season AND extended Bynum's suspension), you can bet all hell would break loose. We would see Lakers fans everywhere claiming that such actions are unjustified, unfair and biased.

The double standard and favoritism in the NBA is ridiculous, and must be changed.