If Bynum was stronger, would he be near as good as Shaq???

[angel]

Mike,

If you observe players in college, a player doesn't peak as a freshman. Players continue to improve. The senior year frequently is their best year. If you look at the world record for the 100 meters in H.S., you will find it is 10.08. For college the record is 9.92. The world record is 9.77. World records are most often achieved by male athletes in their mid-twenties.

"Strength peaks around 25 years of age"

http://www.sportsci.org/encyc/agingex/agingex.html

All the H.S. athletes in Chicago tested rather poorly. H.S. is not the athletic peak. Bynum will continue to get stronger for several years.
_________________
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that." ~~Martin Luther King Jr.~~

[Mike@LG]

angel,

It helps when NCAA players actually have time to work on their game.

The NBA has a busy, busy, busy schedule. Less time to work individually compared to college. Players like Dwyane Wade and JJ Redick are essentially "self-made" because of their work ethic at the NCAA level, which I doubt they could commit at the NBA level without taking a longer period of time.

Besides, I wasn't just referring to kids out of HS, but any player between 17-23.

I was also referring to basketball peak, far different from athletic peak.

Plus, referring to the HS athletes in Chicago last season, you have to see where they tested poorly. It wasn't even the best crop of HS athletes.

I'd almost bet the house, it was only because of the lack of reps on a 180lb. bar.

But when it comes to quickness, speed, vert., it wouldn't be surprising to find them among the elite, even among the athletic college kids.

You specifically are referring to strength. I'm referring to athletic peak as a whole. There is a point to adding so much strength, a player loses quickness.

So, do I doubt Bynum will gain strength? Absolutely not. Am I banking on him to be a quick, explosive player like Shaq, Amare Stoudemire, or Tyson Chandler at age 19? No way.
_________________
Resident Car Nut.

https://lakersdraft.substack.com/

I am not an economic advisor nor do I advise economic strategies or plans.

[Mike@LG]

[angel]

If Bynum turns out to be a tall version of Tim Duncan, who can skyhook, I will be quite happy.
_________________
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that." ~~Martin Luther King Jr.~~

[WestCCa]

It's so difficult to say.

Compare their skill sets in their rookie years, excluding the difference in age.

Shaq was all power, and always had been, from high school all the way through college. He had to add finesse as his career progressed to compliment his power game.

Bynum appears to be just the opposite. At this point, his game is all finesse (and remember, that's only being reinforced by the coaching of Kareem, arguably the greatest finesse center of all-time). Bynum is going to have to add power to his game to compliment the finesse he already possesses.

It will certainly be interesting to watch.

[angel]

Bynum is currently attending the college of the NBA. It's a vocational school where he learns an applied science. He has teachers with a great deal of real life experience. Although he is in the NBA, his primary role is learning. He's here instead of on a regular college team.
_________________
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that." ~~Martin Luther King Jr.~~

[Neza]

As long as he is willing to bust his ass on and off the court any team (lucky us) will benefit from him for a looooooong time.