Wright: Bynum better than Dwight Howard
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Wright: Bynum better than Dwight Howard
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
Is Andrew Bynum better than Dwight Howard? (Brynn Anderson/AP)
While the 76ers got a two-time all-star center in the mega-trade that brought them Andrew Bynum, the prevailing wisdom is that while he’s probably the best center to don a Sixers uniform since the days of Moses Malone, Bynum is still considered by most to be the second-best center behind Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard.
However, new teammate Dorell Wright doesn’t necessarily agree. Having faced Bynum, acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers, multiple times when he and Wright played in the Pacific Division, Wright, who spent his last two seasons with the Golden State Warriors, stated unequivocally that Bynum is the league’s best big man.
“He’s going to need two defenders to stop him; I would say he’s the best big man in the NBA right now, hands down,” Wright, speaking at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, said. “He’s a guy that can give you baskets with his back to the basket; a guy who makes free throws at 7-feet. You’ve just got to respect him.”
At that point I interjected, asking him if he calls Bynum the best big man in the league because they are now on the same team. Or could it be because Howard is on the mend from back surgery?
“No way, I’d say it any day. It’s because I know he can put his back to the basket and give us a basket and request a double team and make free throws,” Wright continued. “It’s his all-around game. Hopefully he can stay healthy and we can ride, he can put us on his back and he can take us as far as we can go.”
Wright seemed to enjoy the little back and forth. He even turned the tables on me, asking me whom I thought was the best big man in the game.
I told him Dwight Howard.
Comments (26)
Wright's description is accurate in that Bynum is a more skilled center than Howard. But as of now, Howard's freakish athleticism and defense give him an edge. Bynum could be better in a couple of years though if his game continues to develop.— OutofTownPhillyFan- Shaq himself said Bynum was the best. While I think Howard's defense, which is the best in the NBA at the position at changing a game gives him the edge; Bynum is easily the best offensive Center in the NBA. Howard has no post game, Bynum is well skilled in the post and only getting better.— gordon7
- One word "Dominate"! Howard can take over a game with his defensive skills. Howard offensively never works on his offensive game Bynum has the skills to be the best all around big man that we havent seen in years (Since Shaq)
Go Sixers— rayzoe - Howard does work on his game however supreme athleticism does not necessarily equate to a high skill level even for the simplist of tasks(see Michael Vick attempting to slide). With that said DC preaches perimeter D and Michael Curry is the task master. For this team we need Bynum to score down low and "patrol" the middle on D, not "control" as Howard would do, though that would be nice as well. Bynum is a better fit for what our team needs as presently constructed. D.Wright I personally would consider as someone whose opinion I'd trust since he spent years in Miami (same division as Howard) and G.State(same division as Bynum). Regardless we're 7 days away. Let's go Sixers!!— Facts before ignorance
- Can just hear my boy Zumoff screaming "and Bynum slams for 2"— StewieLavin27
- Go Sixers.— bdd5014
- The only reason most consider Howard as the best center in basketball is because Bynum has been restricted by Phil Jackson & Kobe Bryant. Towards the middle of last season Mike Brown lost Bynum because he yelled at him in the locker room after a loss. He said Bynum was not bringing it defensively. Lakers were dominating the game because of Bynum's offense and defense, going into the 4th quarter with a lead. Then “Hero Ball” Kobe Bryant took over, shot 29% in the 4th quarter and the Lakers lost. Bynum got chewed out. Mike Brown lost Bynum for the rest of the year. That’s when the loud music started, the 3 pointers, and the “zen” on the bench. Eventually LA lost the best center in Basketball. Now the sixers have him. Watch out NBA, Hall of Famer is now playing in a Sixer uniform!— leonsantillan
- money well spent....WTF did the flyers spend all there $ on ??????— Wizmix
- I believe Bynum is better for the Sixers than Howard would be. He is more a team player while Howard is used to being number one. Bynum had a lot of egos to deal with in LA and did a solid job of being effective and somewhat invisible in Kobe's shadow. In Philly, the offense will flow through him but not rely only on him. I can't wait for the season to get underway. It loks like they will have the town to themselves with the Flyers season in limbo and the Eagles flying very low with Michael (I know I got to get rid of the ball faster) Vick.— gotedge
- Now that AB is "the man", he will both see the ball much more often on offense in the framework of the offense, but also get a bit more attention defensively seeing doubleteams non stop...Like any other type of trap, recognition is key, and hopefully AB's decision making regarding post ups or kick outs to the shooters is a smooth transition, as he will be much more than a terror on alleyoops and follow ups...If his mindset is right, and early signs are just that, he should THRIVE in a situation where the passion for what he can do will be at a very high level, as local fans have not had such a PHYSICAL presence for quite some time...Let Howard do his drama...in the land of drama. Eastern Standard Time will be the basketball to watch for this fan.— bearsfriend
- I think Bynum is the No. Center in the league. people didn't see that because he is being over shadowed by Kobe and Pau Gasol. Even if bynum isn't the 1st or 2nd option on offense for the lakers he still manage to average 17 points and 12 rebounds per game last season.— Wolverine42
- Im not saying this as a homer, this is really how I feel. If they offered me dwight Howard right now for Bynum straight up...I would honestly laugh at them and hang up the phone! overall bynum is currently the best center in the league and he has the most upside. You can get a guy like Tyson Chandler to somewhat give you what Dwight can give you....but who in the league is even gonna come close to giving you what Bynum gives you! Bynum is better on defense, then howard is on offense! Every day when I sign on this site, I still cant believe that this is our 2012-2013 roster....Go back to before the draft and look at the comments about the players we wanted to realistically aquire this offseason...this is beyond any of our wish list. Incredible...I just cant wait for cmp/pre season to start...I have no worries whatsoever about Bynum's attitide. Not many players of his talent, made the personal sacrafices that he was asked to make, and he had to endure it over 6 years! I dont agree with this, but its just the way it is...when you come in the league you worry about making your mark/proving yourself. After you establ.ish yourself in the league, then you start worrying about championships. This is a kid with all the talent in the world, who knew he was capable of so much more, yet sacrafices his personal accomplishments for the team...and Im supposed to worry about the few times, after 6 years that the young man was pissed off and had a bad attitide? lets see if Lebron came into the league and had to play behind jordan and magic, taking a back seat to them, for 6 seasons, without ever really being able to establish himself. lets see how well the unselfish king james is going to handle that! The sixers ofer him, everything he ever wanted...why would I worry about how a 24 year old kid acted in LA, when he was this good taking a backseat to 2 players? WAR BYNUM!!!!— johnGiam
- I have seen Bynam play since he came into the league, as I live in So Cal. Bynum can be unstopable on offense AND defense. If he plays hard every night he is no doubt better than Howard. Howard has proved he cannot lead a team to success without help. He now has help. But Bynam is capable of being the man on a team. That was the problem here; Kobe and racist Gasol, wanted the ball, not to mention Lamar Kardashian. I think if Bynum's attitude is corrected, he is the best center in the league. Miami is the only team in the east capable of stopping the Sixers if everything falls in place.— Wise_Owl
- Appreciate the words,Owl. — bearsfriend
- Wise owl. I agree with you totally 100%. You. Can take that to the ching Ching bank!! — Memphisdex
- Let's. Go. Sixers. I'm ready to represent my team all the way down here in Memphis tn. A. Real and true sixers fan and, for the record. AB is the best big man center wise in the game all hands down!!!!!!!— Memphisdex
- There is a reason Andrew Bynum was well expendable for the LALALakers. During his career he has not bothered to show up every night. When he does come to play, he is extremely good. Better than Dwight Howard? That's another story. This looks like another of the Philly sportshack jobs setting a player up for "failure".
GOOD GRIEF, what a stupid bit of common tatering!— BEMiller - Forget Josh Howard, Scalabrine still available.— gubbers97
- 2 things make me leery about Bynum; his knees and his volatility. People who think he'll be calmer than he was in LA need to look at how he reacted to adversity. Sure, he's only 24, but some of the behavior was disturbing (the hard foul on the MUCH smaller J.J. Barea) and bizarre (like the game where he tried to steal the ball from his own teammate at the end of a game). I think Bynum is a loose cannon, and he will be a challenge for the media and the fans when things don't go his way. I won't even get started on the knees.
Having said all that, I'd rather have him than Howard, who's foul shooting makes him a Shaq-like liability at the end of games. Plus, Howard pulled a DeSean Jackson and quit on Orlando. I doubt his back problems will flare up again, unless he wants out of LA.— NorthPhillyTechie - D. Howard is a beast and Andrew is not. Howard has the killer attitude when playing his position. Observing Andrew I know he plays soft. You can tell that Howard visits the weight room often and Andrew does not which also makes them different.The player was talking s--t in his interview.He can not fool us from Philly. Tell him we have seen the best here over the years and have seen them often. We here in Philly know basketball.— Andrew Grier
- Yea yea - all the chitter chatter about bad attitude. Same stuff dropped Demarcus Cousins down in the draft. I would guess all the teams who didn't take him wish they had - Sixers included. Andrew is fine, very bright, will grow into his role. I hope he stays in good health and am glad we have Hawes around for some depth there.— 7mel11
- Life long Lakers fan here: Andrew Grier...you will eat your words... Has a player as talented as Bynum ever been asked to take a back seat for 7 years? You don't think frustration built inside of Bynum having to watch Kobe jack up shot after shot? The JJ Barea hit was a young kid know knowing how to deal with his frustration. Frustration caused by a coach, Phil Jackson, that had something against him since his rookie season. Frustration of knowing you could have beat the Mavricks yet you lost because of your superstar was too selfish to allow you to lead. Lamar Odom said it after the game 3 loss to the Mavricks in the playoffs 2 years ago. He said he wasn't sure why they went away from what was working. Bynum is the beast, the NBA has seen his fury...Howard is the one who disappears in the 4th quarter. You will eat your words Andrew Grier.— leonsantillan
- Howard will have a better offensive year than Bynum due to Nash. Right now Howard is the better big due to his better defense and more consistent play. Bynum has to stay healthy and come ready to play every minute of every game then we'll see.
— Printpostal - So hoping that Andrew gets a ship on his shoulder as the Sixers being "Miami's second fiddle" (or 3rd or 4th)...With all of the other EC teams getting praise and the Sixers being an afterthought this motivates him to work that much harder (Philly style) and prove the haters wrong about his reputation. If so, he could be another Julius Erving in terms or rejuvenating Sixers championship basketball and be truly beloved in the DV. Here they come...YOUR 76-ERS!— miahjer
- Bynum had 30 boards in a game last year. Bynum makes his free throws at a MUCH higher %. Bynum has a much better overall offensive game than Howard. For this team, Bynum FITS better. He could honestly average 25 and 16 on this team if he stays healthy.— Bobby V
- bYNUM IS BETTER at defense then Howard is on offense! I would never trade bynum for howard straight up, not with this roster! Bynum is the perfect fit! Look, I know we still need to gel, but WATCH OUT!!! Bynum is on a contact year, and that makes him a BAD MAN!!!!!— johnGiam
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About this blog
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
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