Much has been made of the status of Andrew Bynum, lets start of by taking a look at some per possession number involving Bynum.

Starting with the most basic, 

With Bynum In;

Total Plays: 260 

Total Unique Possessions: 170 Total PPP: 1.011

This means the Celtics are scoring at a rate of 1.01 per possession with Bynum on the court.

Bynum out;

Total Plays: 310 

Total Unique Possessions: 187 Total PPP: 1.069 

To put things in perspective through the first four games the average number of possessions per game has been 93.5 possessions. If Bynum was a machine and could play the entire game Boston would rate to score around 5.4 fewer points.

Bynum does a few things well defensively, for one he rebounds the ball extremely well, and he makes scoring in the paint very difficult. 

Looking at the Celtics offensive numbers in the paint we see the following;

With Bynum in;

Total Unique Possessions: 61 Total PPP: 1.05

Total Plays W/ OffPe: 69 PPPlay: 0.92

With Bynum out;

Total Unique Possessions: 60 Total PPP: 1.23

Total Plays W/ OffPe: 68 PPPlay: 1.08 

* note that the difference between per play and per possession denotes whether or not the ball has changed possession. Its possible to have several plays in the same possession (offensive rebounding would be one example). In addition the per possession numbers account for the ensuing free throws that were the result of an in the paint shooting foul.

To drive the point home, when Andrew Bynum has been the secondary help defender on a play, the Celts offensive numbers look like this;

Total Plays W/ OffPe: 25 PPPlay: 0.56 

To put that in Perspective, KG’s secondary help defensive numbers look like this;

Total Plays W/ OffPe: 26 PPPlay: 0.76

It’ll be interesting to see how the Lakers can adjust if it turns out Bynum is limited from here on out in the series.

I also thought it’d be interesting to see how various Celtic Defenders have defended Kobe. Here then are Kobe’s offensive per possession numbers vs the Celtics main defenders. 

Ray Allen 

 Total Unique Possessions: 64 Total PPP: 0.76

Tony Allen 

Total Unique Possessions: 24 Total PPP: 0.54

Paul Pierce

 Total Unique Possessions: 10 Total PPP: 0.4 

To put things in perspective her are Kobe’s numbers from the Phoenix series;

Total Unique Possessions: 276 Total PPP: 1.13

I actually advocate the Celtics playing Pierce on Kobe as much as possible, I realize that Artest poses a tough defensive matchup for Allen but the idea of Ron Artest having a more pronounced role on offense doesn’t scare me too much if I am the Celtics. I also feel like based on their offensive styles, Allen has to exert so much energy on offense running through screens to get open, it would be nice for him to get a bit of a respite and not have to guard Kobe as much on offense.

I also realize that the above samples especially for Pierce are quite small, but would like to add that Pierce did a fantastic job on Kobe in 2008 when he was given the opportunity as well. Here then are the 2008 NBA finals ppp numbers for the Celtics vs Kobe;

Ray Allen

Total Unique Possessions: 64 Total PPP: .78

James Posey

Total Unique Possessions: 37 Total PPP: .65

Paul Pierce

Total Unique Possessions: 31 Total PPP: .64

Tony Allen

Total Unique Possessions: 4 Total PPP: 0

I’ll be posting some more numbers prior to Game 5.