Another disappointing performance made worse by some confusing post-game statements.  Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum scored 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 35 minutes of action during his team’s season-ending Game 5 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder during a Western Conference semifinals series.
Following the game, Bynum, who had a career year and emerged as one of the NBA’s elite big men this season, was asked whether he expected to sign a long-term contract with the Lakers, who hold a $16.1 million team option for 2012-2013 that they are certain to pick up.
“I’m not sure,” he said. “It really doesn’t matter to me. I’ll play anywhere. I think for the most part I had a pretty decent season and then an OK postseason. Obviously this last game was the worst game I’ve probably played. It sucks, obviously, we’re going fishing. My focus is next year and coming back stronger, adding things to my game.”
Pressed by TNT’s Craig Sager on his apparent indifference regarding his future with the Lakers, Bynum expressed a desire to return.
“I definitely want to stay,” he said. “You kind of asked an open-ended question. Obviously things are going to be different come next year. I’m going to be ready.”
Bynum, 24, just completed his seventh NBA season, all with the Lakers. He posted regular season averages of 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 35.2 minutes per game. In the 2012 postseason, he averaged 16.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game.
WRITTEN BY Ben Golliver | NBA Blogger & FULL STORY HERE
