Andrew Bynum Apologizes for Flagrant Foul in Game 4 Against Mavericks

Andrew Bynum apologized for his flagrant foul on J.J. Barea in Game 4 of the Lakers-Mavericks series. The apology came when the Lakers' center answered some questions Tuesday in Los Angeles. The hard foul from Bynum consisted of a forearm hit as Barea went in for a layup, and ended up resulting in the Laker's ejection from the game.

Bynum's apology seemed to be sincere, even though the NBA probably still needs to look into the incident. Bynum told reporters, "My actions don't represent me, my upbringing, or the Lakers." He went on to say, "More importantly I apologize to J.J. Barea for doing that. Glad he wasn't injured," according to ESPN. For those watching the game, the fact that Barea wasn't hurt was as surprising as the intentional foul that Bynum committed.

If this had taken place during a regular season game, or if the Lakers had actually won one of the games in this series, the debate might have become whether Bynum deserved to be suspended for his actions. He went after a player who was defenseless at the time, and didn't even stop to check if he was all right after the foul. Maybe it was his frustration level at the time, but Bynum certainly didn't seem like he was sorry for the foul after the game; this apology appears to stem from backlash he has received in the press.

The NBA can now decide if it wants to take action against Bynum; one option could include a one-game suspension. That suspension would have to take place at the beginning of the 2011-12 season, though, because the Lakers were eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in this series. Facing that elimination might have been why Bynum decided to act out, but the league will have to determine if this was an isolated incident or if Bynum has a history of offenses like this that warrant a suspension.

There have already been many questions about the future for Bynum with the Lakers, and whether or not he will return to the team next season. It's not the first time that this has happened: Earlier in the 2010-11 season, he was brought up as potential bait to trade for Carmelo Anthony. According to Hoops Hype, the Lakers owe Bynum $15.1 million next year and have a team option for $16.5 million in 2012-13, so that's an expensive contract to try to deal. Still, it only makes him the third highest paid player on the team, and just one of many contracts it will be tough for the Lakers to deal with.