Kids, forget about Bynum for this season.

Now look, don't get me wrong. I foresee many a years of success when Kobe's abilities starts to diminish where Drew and Gasol will be the big primary guys for the team, but for THIS SEASON - Bynum is borderline irrelevant. I can count you seven (eight) players MORE IMPORTANT to Laker championship aspirations for this year, and I will later on in my blog. First though, let me explain why while I wish Bynum all the best, I don't care whether or not he even returns this season (In fact, if it guarantees that he's more healthy, I'd rather he DIDN'T return this season).

First of all, a young inexperienced big man returning in game shape is a pipe dream. A Vic the Brick pipe dream. It will take Bynum not only time to get back into full playing shape, but adapt to one of two situations which are very hard to adjust to. Drew will either come off the bench (likely), or he'll be inserted into the starting lineup (unlikely). If the latter happens, at least Bynum will only have to worry about hustling up and down the court and playing defense. I think he'll be awful at both given how long he's been out, but perhaps Lamar-Kobe-Gasol-Fisher can mask that. If he comes with the second unit, he'll be completely exposed. If Sasha and Jordan don't hit their shots, the opposing squad will just double up on Drew and completely kill him.

Those who think you can count on him for rebounds and defense have to remember that this guy isn't even running normally yet. You expect him to keep up with Tim Duncan? With Shaq? With Tyson Chandler? No way.  He'll foul out QUICK for the simple fact that he won't be able to guard anyone yet. And yeah his length should get him some rebounds, but who knows how his lift and timing will be as he's working back into shape?

Sure with his length Drew can offer some shot blocking threats, but that won't save the Lakers. They have awful perimeter defense, all that's going to happen is that people will get around Fisher/Farmar and then get Bynum into foul trouble even quicker. Bynum is hardly the answer defensively.

And to top it all off, the Lakers don't have time or games to work him back. You can't leave him out there in the playoffs so that he gets his bearings because if you do you'll lose the game.

No, Drew is NOT the crucial piece to THIS YEAR'S puzzle.

There are seven (eight), count 'em, seven (eight), more important players to the Lakers championship hopes.

1. Kobe Bryant. This is an obvious one. If the Lakers have any shot at winning the title, Kobe has to be the MVP we all think he's going to be this year. He needs to play defense, and I mean legit defense not his "All Defensive First Team" defense of seasons past, and also be the 'clean up' guy doing whatever the Lakers need on the other end. If the others aren't on, he needs to score. If the others are scoring, he needs to find the open man. There can be no bad games from Kobe Bryant in these playoffs.
2. Pau Gasol. Pau needs to compensate for his weak defense on the offensive end. He needs to drop 20 a game and play SMART defense that somewhat covers up his issues in order to make a real difference to this Lakers unit. If Gasol comes up with dud games, the D will focus on Kobe, and if they focus on Kobe, that's when the problems will start.
3. Lamar Odom. Lamar has always stepped his game up in the playoffs, and this time around can be no different. He needs to clean up on the glass and provide CONSISTANT scoring. Rebounding, rebounding, rebounding - Lamar has to come though.
4. Derek Fisher. All season long Fish's calm demeanor and respectability has calmed down the Laker locker room. It's imperative that his leadership and ability to guide the young guys not waiver, and that he get his shot falling again to compensate for his lack of quickness on defense.
5. Vlad Rad (outta your minds if you think I'm going to write out his name). I know I may catch flack for this, but he is the X-Factor as far as I'm concerned. We all know his defensive woes and the fact that he STILL hasn't seemed to grasp the nuances of the offense, but if the Lakers want to go deep in the playoffs Vlad Rad need to provide a consistent 3 point shot and a few spare boards to justify his playing time.
6. Sasha Vujacic. Another X-factor. Sasha needs to show that the regular season is no fluke. He needs to provide consistent scoring off the bench. Some dislike his constant gunning, I'm all for it. Sasha should shoot from the second he's put into the game, and stop when Phil pulls him. He needs to average at least 10 a game for the Lakers to make it deep into the playoffs.
7. Jordan Farmar/Ronny Turiaf. These two need to step up big time. Jordan needs score and score well in the playoffs to compensate for his awful defense, and Ronny needs to clean up on the glass against teams like New Orleans, Houston, Phoenix, and San Antonio all while dropping that nifty little jumper of his.

So there you have it, seven players not a little, but FAR more important than Bynum to this season's title run. I left Luke out for a reason, and that reason is that I've completely given up on him. He's disappointed me to no end this season. I don't care if he's a "smart" player, forget him anyway.

I'm not going to describe how I think the Lakers will fair on their title chase until the season ends and I see the matchups, but I just wanted to put a blog out there expressing my feelings on Bynum Watch 2008.