A New Answer?

*Disclosure: I am a Yellow Jacket ('07) and love the ramblin' wreck from Georgia Tech!!

The Detroit Pistons announced on Friday that Allen Iverson would miss the rest of the season. There were many reasons that the Pistons made this trade for Iverson (salary cap, Rodney Stuckey's emergence, etc.), but one of the main reasons was to obtain Iverson's scoring prowess. The Pistons scoring difficulties have led to their playoff exit in the Eastern Conference Finals in each of the past three years. I didn't really have an issue with this trade for the Pistons. Yes, they risked losing the team chemistry that made them a joy to watch over the years, but at the same time they needed to change things up in order to compete with Boston and Cleveland.

While Joe Dumars was hoping that Iverson would be the "Answer" for the Pistons, another Pistons player has stepped up to provide the dynamic scoring option the team needed. 6'0", 185 lbs, and lightening quick ... hmmm.....sounds like Iverson. Nope! Will Bynum (Georgia Tech '05) has come off the bench to provide the scoring punch they hoped would come from Iverson. An undrafted rookie out of Georgia Tech, there has never been any doubt about Bynum's ability to put the ball in the basket. You can google and read about his short journey since graduating from Tech, but I want to focus more on why Bynum is succeeding. I've been meaning to post about Bynum's emergence for awhile now, averaging 14.8 ppg and 4.8 apg in only 24.5 mpg off the bench over the last 13 games, but I could not put off this post any longer after Bynum errupted for 26 points in the 4th quarter last night against the Bobcats.

Looking at Bynum's build, you may confuse him for one of the running backs in Georgia Tech's triple option. Bynum uses his quickness and strength to shake off defenders and then attack the basket relentlessy. I'll never forget his drive to the basket, my freshman year at Tech, to win the 2004 Final Four game against Oklahoma State. His ability to change direction, his build, confidence, handle, and heart make me think of him as a hybrid between Nate Robinson and D-Wade. I think what I love the most about Bynum is the fact that he uses his talents to get to the basket and does not just settle on outside shots as many young players do. I hope players entering the league follow Bynum's example and bring the same energy and excitement to the game that he does. You reading J-Critt?