Fan Perspective: Bynum Apology Rings Hollow for Mavericks Fans

The American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, was filled with an electric buzz. It was the fourth quarter, and the Dallas Mavericks were up big on the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. Then unexpectedly, a strange melt down began to unfold before the thousands of fans in attendance and the millions watching world wide. Within just forty-five seconds of each other, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum both received Flagrant 2 fouls and were ejected from the game for what can be described as temper tantrum type behavior.

Lamar Odom was frustrated, and that might be understandable, but not excusable. He gave Mavericks star player Dirk Nowitzki a hard shoulder, sending the seven footer to the ground. While Dirk did stand up immediately, he could have been injured, and worse, knocked out of the next playoff series. Lamar was sent packing, and I couldn't help but notice the "caught red handed" look that was written all over his face. With 8:21 remaining in the fourth Andrew Bynum committed a Flagrant 2 foul against J.J. Barea that could have ended his career. Thankfully, Barea was able to get back to his feet and continue playing the game. Bynum was sent to the locker room early, having been ejected from the game for the vicious hit on Barea.

After the game, Bynum was lackluster in his interviews with the press. When asked about the foul on Barea, he could only muster, "It is what it is." This was said with a complete lack of contrition and complete disregard for Barea, his health or his life. He did not offer an apology at all in this first interview with the press. Only after he realized that he was getting roasted by the national media and only after he probably received a call from the Lakers legal department, did he issue an empty, hollow apology to Barea. It seemed rehearsed, and like it was written for him by someone else.

Bynum owes another big apology to both Laker fans, for embarrassing the franchise, and to Mavericks fans for the whole macho jersey removal after being ejected from the game. Bynum received a fitting punishment from the league. He is suspended five games next season without pay, and a $25,000.00 fine. In total this will cost Bynum $702,000.00, which is sufficient for the bush league foul that he gave. Even more important than the fines and suspensions, Bynum should be required to make appearances at children's basketball camps over the off season to tell kids that losing your temper in a game is not a good thing and taking it out and hurting other players on the court is never okay. Kids who watched that foul being committed need to be told that what Bynum did is not the way to get your point across in any sport.