Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says Andrew Bynum lacks commitment

Cavaliers center Andrew Bynum works in the post against Hawks center Al Horford during a game Thursday in Cleveland.

By Eric Pincus

Dec. 30, 2013 5:01 PM PT

With news that Andrew Bynum has been suspended and excused from all team activities by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bynum’s former mentor Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sounded off on the ex-Lakers center.

Abdul-Jabbar gave his thoughts Sunday via his Facebook account:

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. @KAJ33

Bynum signed a $24.8-million contract with the Cavaliers this summer, though only $6 million is guaranteed. If the Cavaliers cut him before Jan. 8, they’ll save approximately $6.3 million.

Former Lakers coach Phil Jackson also gave his take on Twitter.

I’m reluctant to judge ABynum’s bball intent. He is a man of many interests and has a life outside of bb, but he does like to compete.— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) December 29, 2013

Through 24 games this season, Bynum is averaging 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting just 41.9% from the field.

Bynum has been plagued by knee injuries dating back to his time with the Lakers. The team traded him to the Philadelphia 764ers last off-season in a multi-team deal that landed Dwight Howard in Los Angeles.

Howard has since moved on to the Houston Rockets. Bynum never played a game in Philadelphia as he was sidelined with knee issues.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.