Phil Jackson: Everyone Should Relax When it Comes to Andrew Bynum


Former Lakers head coach Phil Jackson has observed the emergence and petulance of Andrew Bynum this season from afar, and he thinks people are getting too worked up over the young big fella’s occassional missteps. Reports the LA Times: “Phil Jackson has a message for everybody criticizing Andrew Bynum. Settle down. The former Lakers coach said he enjoyed seeing Bynum’s development, even if it had been filled with inexplicable turns the last few weeks. ‘Bynum is not quite mature, but everyone should relax and watch him grow up,’ Jackson said via email. ‘This year has been a big step for him offensively…nice to see…and when he takes up the mantle as defensive captain the Lakers can get back in the hunt.’ Jackson was strict with Bynum while coaching him for six seasons, prodding him about his fitness, getting more rebounds and playing better defense.”