Kareem Abdul-Jabbar questions Andrew Bynum's 'heart,' commitment
Things have gone sour quickly for Andrew Bynum in Cleveland. (David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
One day after the Cleveland Cavaliers suspended center Andrew Bynum, the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — who has worked with Bynum in the past — questioned Bynum's "heart" and commitment to the game of basketball.
The Cavaliers suspended Bynum after reportedly becoming aware that he "doesn't want to play basketball anymore," according to a Yahoo Sports report. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Abdul-Jabbar suggested the organization's questions were legitimate.
From Abdul-Jabbar's Facebook post:
I believe Andrew has always had the potential to help a team when he puts his heart into it. He just doesn't seem to be consistent with his commitment to the game. That can lead to a lot of frustration for any team that has signed him.
When I worked with Andrew I found him to be bright & hardworking but I think he got bored with the repetitive nature of working on basketball fundamentals day in and day out... but they are the keys to long term success.
In my opinion Andrew is the type of person who walks to the beat of "a different drummer". So we won't know the facts until Andrew decides to tell us what actually is the issue and shares his thoughts.
These questions have long been the theme with Bynum, who has never lived up to the potential the Los Angeles Lakers thought he had when they made him a Top 10 draft pick in 2005. Abdul-Jabbar worked with Bynum earlier in his career, but stopped in 2009.
On Sunday, the Cavaliers lifted Bynum's suspension but still excused him from all team activities, meaning he's on paid leave away from the team. The Cavaliers are attempting to trade Bynum, according to reports.
