On Christmas day, Andrew Bynum destroyed the Suns. Obliterated them. He had 28 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. He out-stat Mr. STAT. Amare had 19, 6, 2 assists and 3 blocks against the young 20-year-old.
What a difference two months make. Before the season started, there were trade rumors flying all over about Bynum. AB for Kidd. AB for Jermaine O'Neil. There were also rumors flying about concerning Stoudemire. But those rumors were brushed away as ridiculous. Amare for Kevin Garnett? Let's not be ridiculous. Amare's the future. KG is the past.
Well, not 60 days later and the whole world seems upside down. KG has returned to being the best power forward. Bynum is the new kid on the block. He's been labeled the best big man not named Dwight Howard, the spot that had been previously reserved for Amare.
And Amare? Amare's slid to offensive force that has no D. He's relinquished 42 and 13 to Chris Bosh. Dampier, yes, that's Eric Dampier of the Dallas Mavericks, had 8 points on 4 for 4 shooting, and outrebounded Amare by 2. Tim Duncan dropped 36 on him. Tyson Chandler grabbed 18 boards and chipped in 14 points to Amare's 16 and 8 boards. Shaq had his best game of December with 18, 11 and 5 assists, and Al Jefferson dropped a measly 32 on STAT.
Perhaps they're calling him STAT because anyone can put up so many against him. On the other side, Bynum has helped the Lakers to wins in 9 of their last 12. He's averaging for the month of December, 15 points, 10 boards, 2 assists and 3 blocks while shooting a scalding 67.6 percent. Shaq can't even shoot freethrows that well.
Well Lakers' fans. Good times are ahead. It was a Merry Christmas, but it's going to be an even happier New Year.
Keywords: Al Jefferson, Amare Stoudemire, Andrew Bynum, Chris Bosh, Christmas, Dallas Mavericks, Eric Dampier, Jermaine O'Neil, Kevin Garnett, Kidd, Lakers, Shaq, Suns, Tim Duncan, Tyson Chandler
