The Los Angeles Lakers are such a veteran and experienced team that sometimes it's easy to forget that center Andrew Bynum is actually a kid in a rotation filled with adults.
Bynum, at 23 years of age, is almost a decade younger than all of the other Lakers starters, and in a recent game against the Minnesota Timber Wolves, Bynum's immaturity surfaced in a hard foul on Michael Beasley.
Bynum delivered a hard shot to Beasley, and it was apparent that little or no attempt was made by Bynum on the ball.
Thankfully Beasley was not injured badly and Bynum has already issued an apology, but considering the time of year and what's at stake for the Lakers this all could have turned out very badly.
Bynum served the first game of a two-game suspension due to his foul on Beasley in Sunday night's game against Portland, and his absence was felt as the Trail Blazers out-rebounded the Lakers 45-35.
But the Lakers were still able to extend their streak to 13 victories in the past 14 games with an 84-80 win, because of the focus of Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher.
Hopefully Bynum will learn from his mistake and learn to get a better grasp of his emotions, but it's good to have a backup plan like Bryant and Fisher at your disposal.
Portland looked to be in command of Sunday's night's game until late in the fourth quarter when consecutive steals by Fisher led to a game-tying basket and a two-point lead.
Fisher later iced the game with a 17-foot jumper with 10 seconds left to play, which serves as a reminder of his closing potential at this time of the season.
Bryant scored 10 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, and the last three minutes of the game were strictly the Bryant and Fisher show as the two Lakers made the biggest plays at the biggest moments.
Bryant also shrugged off an aching jaw and neck from a hard hit in the Minnesota game and the remnants of a sprained ankle to help deliver a win in a game the Lakers looked destined to lose, as the Blazers led for most of the way.
The Lakers' other veterans also showed up as Pau Gasol had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Lamar Odom tallied 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists while filling in for Bynum as a starter.
The Lakers shot 45 percent from the floor as a team, while their defense held Portland to 38 percent shooting from the field and was especially stout late in the fourth quarter.
But it was ultimately Bryant and Fisher who were most responsible for the Lakers victory, and the two players appear to be in full postseason mode.
Opinions on Bynum's hard foul against Beasley vary, but most people tend to think it was a cheap, classless act.
Bryant is not in that category as he recently said he was proud of Bynum's hard foul and the young center was earning his stripes for the upcoming postseason.
I can understand Bryant's elation at the intensity and energy that Bynum has shown in recent weeks, but the Lakers would benefit if he learned to rein in his emotions a little.
Bynum is no stranger to the postseason as he has played a significant role in each of the Lakers' past two NBA championships, and he finally seemed to understand his importance in the team's chances of winning a third.
Maybe there are still a few things Bynum can learn form his grizzled, veteran teammates.
Bryant and Fisher proved in Sunday night's win that their focus and late season experience is enough to weather Bynum's two-game suspension.
But the Lakers will be a better team when Bynum's maturity progresses in the same manner his game has since the NBA All-Star break.
Cristina Dumitru Cat Power January Jones Christina DaRe Malin Akerman
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