Bynum has work cut out for him

Andrew Bynum and Jordan Farmar, the center and point guard of the Lakers’ future?

Not quite yet.

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson took a long look at their progress to date and definitely didn’t over-endorse them in an impromptu “state of the kids” address.

Jackson was asked whether Bynum and Farmar were the team’s future foundation at their respective positions.

“I’m not going to say that about either one of them,” he said. “They haven’t shown the ability to compete in a real NBA arena where they’ve overcome adversity, learned what they have to learn, have the work ethic.

“I’m not doubting Farmar’s work ethic right now at all, but by saying that, immediately I throw aspersions on Drew’s work ethic. He’s more of a lackadaisical kind of guy. You have to push him a little bit to get him going out there. Not only play, but also win. That’s what it’s about here.”

This isn’t the first time Jackson has picked at Bynum’s work habits. He removed the second-year center from the starting lineup after the first 14 games because the 19-year-old was showing up progressively later for pregame workouts and struggling on the court.

“There’s some things that we’re pleased with what Andrew does, and there are a lot of things that we want him to improve on,” Jackson said. “Until that improvement comes along, you have to wait and see. Initiative is one of the things. Correctable mistakes is another thing. Discipline is a third thing.

“You’ve got guys in this league that are symbolic and emblematic of that kind of effort, like Tim Duncan and Yao Ming, guys that are centers that are ahead of you, that show great discipline. They go out on the court before games, they’re working hard on their games, they’re showing improvement year by year. They’re at a point where they’re correcting mistakes and getting better, even as they age in this league. You really have to push yourself as a player.”

As if to prove his point a few minutes later, Jackson broke up a small media session with Bynum by telling him gruffly to go out on the court for pregame activities.

Bynum had 14 points and 10 rebounds Monday against the Atlanta Hawks. He is averaging 8.5 points and 6.6 rebounds in 22.1 minutes this season.

Bynum said he felt he was “playing pretty well right now, pushing my averages up,” and said he and Jackson had not spoken about work ethic.

“We don’t really talk much, and he never really tells me anything like that,” Bynum said. “I guess that’s what they’re trying to instill in me because they wouldn’t let me go anywhere over the summer. I’m going to be myself. That’s all I can be. I think I’m going to get better as time goes on.”

Jackson had an idea about why Farmar has been slumping recently, scoring a total of seven points in six games before getting six against Atlanta.

“He’s hit the proverbial wall as far as a rookie goes,” Jackson said. “I know kids don’t want to admit it or face up to it a lot of times. They can’t think of it in those terms.”

Farmar is averaging 5.5 points and 2.1 assists in 16.6 minutes, although Jackson wants him to cut down on turnovers and organize the team better on offense.

The Lakers can keep Bynum under contract for two more seasons before presumably forking over more than the $2.8 million they’ll be paying him for the 2008-09 season. They can keep Farmar for three more seasons.

“There’s not even going to be a maturity in [Bynum’s] body, let alone mentally at the time that we have to make some big decisions,” Jackson said. “He’s got to show a certain sense of responsibility. That really takes it a long ways.”

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

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KEYS TO THE GAME

* Kobe Bryant scored 27 points, 11 coming in the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter to help the Lakers pull away from Atlanta. Bryant made 10 of 18 shots.

* Hawks guard Joe Johnson had a rough night, making only 10 of 26 shots while scoring 27 points. He also had six turnovers and missed four of nine free throws.

* The one shot Smush Parker made -- a three-pointer from the corner with 4:24 to play -- gave the Lakers an 80-72 lead and pretty much put the game out of reach. Parker had three points on one-for-eight shooting.

--MIKE BRESNAHAN