TALKING REBOUNDS!!! L.A. LAKERS’ BYNUM PUTTING MOVES ON RIHANNA!!!

Basketball players are known for applying the FULL COURT PRESS … and that’s exactly what Los Angeles Laker Andrew Bynum is putting on R&B singer Rihanna.

According to one of an insider, he and Rihanna have been friends for many months – but ever since the incident with Chris Brown – Andrew’s been there to console her.

The insider told us, “He’s there for her as a friend – but he let it be known that he wants more.”

And while at first the press didn’t seem to be working – now we’re hearing whispers that it may well be.

Not only were Rihanna and Andrew together almost ALL NIGHT at fellow baller Baron Davis’ birthday party on Saturday night, but according to reports, the couple had a romantic dinner on Friday at Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills.