| |
|
NBA PLAYOFFS -- Bynum plays big in Lakers opener
By Jose Roberto Meza
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 30 Apr 2012
LOS ANGELES -- As usual, Kobe Bryant came up big when the LA Lakers opened their 2012 NBA playoffs run Sunday afteroon before a fullhouse crowd of 18,997 at the Staples Center here in dowtown Los Angeles.
Bryant sizzled for 31 points as Los Angeles easily dispatched the Denver Nuggets, 103-88, to win Game 1 of their best-of-7 series.
As spectacular as Kobe was, he had to share the spotlight with big man Andrew Bynum, who tore through the history pages with a playoffs performance of a lifetime.
The 7-foot, 285-pound Bynum finished with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 10 blocked shots. Those ten blocks tied an NBA record shared by Mark Eaton of the Utah Jazz and all-time great Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets. Those ten blocks also broke a 35-year old franchise record of nine blocks held by Hall-of-Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The last Laker to register a triple-double in a playoffs game was Lakers megastar Magic Johnson, who pulled the trick in Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals --- 16 points, 11 rebounds and 20 assists.
"Monstrous. He was an absolute beast down there," Lakers head coach said of his center's historic effort.
At least one Nugget was very pleased with Bynum's effort. "We've got to find a way to score before he gets in the paint, because he's impressive, "said Denver forward Danilo Gallinari.
Bynum's previous playoff game was an ugly memory. He was ejected in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals last May when he threw a viciously malicious elbow that sent then Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea crashing hard on the floor.
This time, though, all is good. And Bynum is slowly making a case as the NBA's best big man. With his triple-double treat against the Nuggets, who's to argue. (Jose Roberto Meza)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jose Roberto Meza.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout
, Tue, 31 Mar 202613-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20
, Tue, 31 Mar 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
, Tue, 31 Mar 2026Filipino boy, 15, wins US chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 31 Mar 202660 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire
, Mon, 30 Mar 2026Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 30 Mar 2026Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach
, Sun, 29 Mar 2026Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
, Sun, 29 Mar 2026Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal!
, Sat, 28 Mar 2026GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Barrière and Akdeniz win in Montreal
By Eric Armit, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Jesse Espinas and Leboy Atencio Ready to Rumble in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV (Weigh-in Photos)
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Matchroom Boxing announces new long-term contract extensions for two top UK fighters
, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Thananchai Decisions "Lucky Boy" Alicaba
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Suslenkov to defend WBA continental title against Mann at IBA.PRO 16 in Serpukhov
, Fri, 27 Mar 2026SBA Builds the Future of Billiards with SBA Next and Official Pool Hub Network
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026Don King Productions Announces Challenger for Reigning WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian
, Fri, 27 Mar 202611-0 Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor developing his skills at Deontay Wilder and Andrii Novytskyi
, Fri, 27 Mar 2026IBA welcomes the victory of common sense in the IOC policy on protecting women
, Fri, 27 Mar 2026Genetic Testing will be required in Olympic Games
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
