Secretly, Kobe likes Bynum’s F-U attitude.
It mirrors his attitude, but it is a bit out of control and with the playoffs race in the West so tight, he needs to be able to harness Bynum’s rage. Kobe believes he can.
Kobe Bryant said he would discuss Bynum’s behavior with him.
“The key is to find that balance,” Bryant said. “You don’t want him to lose that edge or lose that rage that he’s been playing with We have to be patient. He’s been extremely productive.”
“I’m disappointed because we told him [before the start of the fourth quarter], ‘You’ve got one technical, don’t pick up your second,'” Mike Brown said. “He acknowledged us and went out and picked up his second when I thought he could have helped us to win the ballgame.”
Kobe has learned from his Shaq days, you have to handle these things delicately, but he does need to speak to Bynum and get him on the same page with the rest of the team.
He is the key to the Lakers making a long run in the playoffs or if their struggle face will debut quickly.