What will happen if the Cavs are ever able to solve the Andrew Bynum mystery: “Currently, Bynum only looks like a fraction of his former self. He actually appears to be in decent shape physically considering the physical limitations he’s had over the past 18 months, but statistically he’s contributing a modest six points, three rebounds and nearly two blocks in 12 minutes of action. His per-36 averages are 17.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 4.9 rebounds, though, which would put him back in the best center in the league conversation if he could produce those numbers. In last night’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Bynum played 19 minutes, the most he’s played so far this season. It was an encouraging sign that Coach Brown played him that much, but then afterwards Bynum put a damper on the achievement with some borderline discouraging comments about his health status”
“[I’ve been experiencing] little, sharp pains,” Bynum said to Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer regarding his knees, before admitting that he wasn’t sure his explosiveness would ever come back. “Nothing too bad.”
Through one week, rookie Ben McLemore has impressed the Kings, and figures to be a big part of their future: “The lone bright spot was the play of first-round draft pick Ben McLemore. After scoring six points combined in his first two NBA games, McLemore had 19 against the Warriors, prompting coach Michael Malone to say: “The most exciting thing was Ben McLemore.” McLemore’s play and effort continue to excite coaches, who look forward to seeing him grow as a player. McLemore is quickly earning a reputation as a hard worker and a player willing to work on defense – two things Malone holds in high regard.”
“I’m just going out there playing my game and having fun,” McLemore said. “At the same time, I’m out there competing and doing what coach wants me to do, and that’s be aggressive on both sides of the floor.”
Four games in the NBA might not seem so easy to Brad Stevens: “Stevens, the former Butler coach, began his fourth game in the NBA with a starting lineup of Avery Bradley, Gerald Wallace, Jeff Green, Brandon Bass and Vitor Faverani. His team is called the Boston Celtics and they wear green uniforms, but these are not your grandfather’s Celtics. Or your father’s Celtics. Or even last year’s Celtics. The roster is atrocious. Nobody could win with this roster. So it was no surprise when the Grizzlies pulled away and beat the Celtics 95-88. The difficult part is dealing with it.”
“You just understand where we are and where we have to go,” Stevens said. “You do your best to focus on what’s next and not pay too much attention to anything else.”
Kevin Durant is shouldering more of the load this season for the Oklahoma City Thunder: “Russell Westbrook is just getting back after a knee injury. Serge Ibaka is in a horrible shooting funk to start the season and James Harden and Kevin Martin have left for bigger roles and bigger paychecks. Now Durant has developed into much more than just a three-time scoring champion and the most unstoppable offensive force in the NBA. He’s a capable help defender, sliding over late in the shot clock to foil a drive to the basket. He’s the source of confidence for a young supporting cast, passing up shots early in the game to try to get them going. And he’s the leader in the locker room, as grizzled a veteran as a 25-year-old can be.”
”I still look at myself as a young guy, just trying to find my way and learn as much as I can in such a quick time in this league,” Durant said before a recent game in Minnesota. ”But I’ve got to kind of reel myself in and say these guys are watching me. I’ve got to set a great example for them.
”I’ve got to let them play sometimes and let them make mistakes and learn from them, but also talk up when I have to. I’m just trying to find a balance between the two.”