Los Angeles Lakers’ Andrew Bynum slapped with two-game suspension
Los Angeles Lakers centre Andrew Bynum was handed a two-game suspension by the National Basketball Association (NBA) for his flagrant foul on Michael Beasley during Friday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Bynum turned his shoulder and slammed into Beasley mid-air to send him crashing to the floor. The Los Angeles centre was ejected from the game immediately, as the foul was deemed a flagrant-2 offence by the referees. The decision means that Bynum will now
miss the Lakers next two games against Portland and Phoenix.
Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson was critical of the penalty, as he thought the minor offence did not constitute a two-game ban. Bynum is also set to miss out on $250,000 of his salary during his two-game suspension.
The Los Angeles Lakers are 11-of-12 since the All-Star break, and Bynum has been a key cog in their resurgent run. The mercurial centre has averaged 11.8 points, 13 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in the last 12 games.
Bynum has had a pivotal role in these wins for the Lakers, including a 22-point and 15 rebound showing against Dallas last weekend. He also proved to be the deciding factor when the Lakers played Orlando on Tuesday. Bynum had 18 rebounds and four blocks
to go with his 10 points on the night, as he constantly irritated Dwight Howard and forced him into some tough shots.
Lamar Odom is now the favourite to replace Bynum in the Lakers starting line-up. Odom started the first 28 games this season, as Bynum was out recuperating from a right-knee surgery. Lakers coach Phil Jackson believes that Andrew Bynum is the centrepiece
of the Lakers’ defensive scheme, and the seven-footer is an intimidating presence in the lane for opposing teams.
Minnesota Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis was unsure whether the flagrant foul warranted the immediate suspension, but implied that the ruling was justified after he watched replays of the incident over the weekend.
Rambis told reporters on Sunday, "He (Bynum) made no play on the ball. It's unfortunate that things like that happen in basketball, but it was the right call. Michael is relatively lucky he didn't get more hurt than he did."
Kurt Rambis served as assistant coach for the Lakers during Andrew Bynum’s early years with the franchise, and played a huge role in his transformation from a young lanky rookie into a formidable force in the middle for the champions.
Beasley was in a great deal of pain after the incident, as he grimaced and limped off the court. However, X-Rays on his hip showed no damage, which is good news for the Timberwolves. Beasley played in Sunday’s 127-95 loss against the Sacramento Kings, scoring
13 points on 3-for-8 shooting.
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