Andrew Bynum: Lakers have ‘trust issues’

“It’s obvious we have trust issues and unless we come out and discuss them, then nothing will change,” Bynum said after the Lakers were embarrassed, 93-81, in Wednesday’s Game 2 at Staples Center.

Bynum didn’t delve into specifics as to what is causing the team to struggle, but said that “it is quite obvious to anyone watching the game. It’s hesitation on passes, defensively not helping out because he wasn’t there for you before.”

Magic Johnson said on Twitter that Bynum should “never had made those comments publicly. Call a players only meeting and discuss those issues internally with your teammates.”

Still, the sixth-year center said it’s not too late to fix these problems, but the team needs to sit down and air their concerns before heading to Dallas on Thursday.

“If we have a good session, which I think we will, we will be able to correct these things,” he said. “If not, we’ll go home.”

He meant for good, not a Game 5.

Still Bynum said the Lakers can resolve their problems and get back to winning games, but they must take action quickly.

“To be honest with you, if we go out and practice hard, get to the root of what’s really hurting us and not candy-coat things and talk around these issues, we will be fine.

“If not, then we won’t,” he said.

Bynum said he believes these “trust issues” developed long before the playoffs began last month, but the Lakers have been able to cover them up with big individual performances.

“We’re a talented team, so we kind of get by sometimes,” Bynum said. “We have guys who can take over a game, four or five guys who can score 10 straight points ….  so it makes it less obvious. It seems obvious now because this team (Mavericks) are cutting us apart and we’re not doing anything about it.”

Kobe Bryant said Bynum isn’t altogether wrong in his assessment of what is happening.

“I think the trust that he’s referring to is being able to help each other on the defensive end of the floor,” Bryant said. “He gets frustrated when he supports a guard coming off the screen and roll and nobody supports him when a big’s rolling to the basket.”