| |
|
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:
Casimero stops Nery in 4th round
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Edward Vazquez keeps title hopes alive by winning razor-thin unanimous decision over Daniel Lugo in Main Event of ProBoxTV
, Sat, 06 Jun 2026LABAN PILIPINAS! Kenneth Llover Ready to KO His Way to a World Title Shot
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Nery Does It Again: Overweight, But Casimero Says Let’s Fight!
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Undefeated Gabriela Tellez to Challenge Elif Nur Turhan for IBF Lightweight World Title June 13 in Glendale, AZ
, Sat, 06 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS, FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER FOR PADLEY VS FIAZ – LIVE ON DAZN
, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Bruce “2.0” Seldon Jr.: From a Champion’s Son to Heavyweight Headliner
, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Mexican fighter ¨Artillero¨Rodriguez passes away after suffering brain injury on weekend fight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026NEGROS OCCIDENTAL PILLARS CROWNED SBA SEASON 2 CHAMPIONS
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Weights from Japan: Llover - 117.7 lbs., Angeletti - 117.5 lbs.
By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 05 Jun 2026Antonio Vargas Locked in for Career-Defining Title Defense Against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez as Training Camp Winds Down
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Weights From ‘Vazquez vs. Lugo’ Event from College Park Center in Arlington, TX, & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS JOSH PADLEY AND AQIB FIAZ FACE OFF
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026“I would not say Yoka is more dangerous.” Murat Gassiev's coach Kadushin on boxer's training camp
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Homecoming for super middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia to be showcased June 20 on Kingsley Ibeh vs. Dante Stone card in Phoenix
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Amateur Standout Kayla "The Truth" Gomez Set for Professional Debut on MF Pro's "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Tancontian to lead PH team in Sambo Asia-Oceania
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 05 Jun 2026Clarion to fight for WBC Youth World super flyweight title in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 04 Jun 20262026 NBA Finals: Knicks Steal Game 1 in San Antonio 105-95
By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 04 Jun 2026LAMONT “THE REAPER” ROACH JR. AND WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA TO BATTLE FOR THE WBC LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
, Thu, 04 Jun 2026Ramirez vs. Richards - Weigh In Results
, Thu, 04 Jun 2026Louisville and Boxing World commemorated 10th Anniversary of Muhammad Ali death
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 04 Jun 2026Sampson Lewkowicz: Boxing’s Picasso
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 03 Jun 2026BARRY HEARN OBE TO FUND 10 BRAND NEW APPRENTICESHIP ROLES THANKS TO MATCHROOM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND COACH CORE
, Wed, 03 Jun 2026Olongapo to host National Age Group Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 03 Jun 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
