Kobe Bryant once implored Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak to dump Andrew Bynum, saying it was time to “ship his (butt) out of here.” Kupchak resisted in 2007, Bynum grew up on the court a good deal and Bryant has been pleased by the results.

“We all know the amount of talent he has and he’s really worked on it,” Bryant said of Bynum after watching him score 21 points and grab 22 rebounds during the Lakers’ victory Tuesday over the Houston Rockets at Staples Center.

“The thing I like about him is that he has an engine inside of him and he wants to do well,” Bryant continued. “He wants to dominate. He has ambition to be great. I think that’s the biggest positive about him aside from all of the physical attributes.”

It kind of sounded like a plea to Kupchak to keep Bynum in the fold rather than trade him to Orlando for Dwight Howard. If there’s one thing Bryant admires over everything else it’s a fellow player’s dedication to his craft. Sounds like he’s sold on Bynum.