L.A. Lakers: Are Gasol, Bynum, and Odom the NBA's Top Postseason Advantage?

Kobe Bryant may lead the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2010-11 NBA Finals, but if the team hopes to capture their 3rd consecutive title it will be because of the play of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom.

Gasol, Odom, and Bynum give the Lakers one of the biggest, most talented, and productive front lines in the NBA, and it may be an advantage that no other team can match in the postseason.

The only other trio that even comes close to matching the production of Gasol, Bynum, and Odom is the Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, and Taj Gibson.

The Lakers' players average 44.8 points per game and 27 rebounds, while the Bulls' trio averages 37 points and 25.3 rebounds.

The Lakers have a slight edge in those numbers, but there are a few other things that do not show up on a stat sheet that widens the gap between Los Angeles and the rest of the NBA.

The most striking may be the size of the Lakers who boast two true seven footers in Gasol and Bynum, and although Odom stands a little shorter at 6'10, his wing-span makes him taller in the paint.

Lakers' coach Phil Jackson says he still marvels at the sheer size and strength of Bynum, and all three players stay active on defense and keep their arms in the air.

Other teams such as Dallas and Boston have players who are capable of matching the size of the Lakers' trio, but Gasol, Bynum, and Odom have plenty of talent to go along with their girth.

Gasol and Bynum are arguably among the top five players at their respective positions, and Odom can make a legitimate claim for 6th man of the year.

Additionally, Odom's ability to play on the perimeter creates match-up issues that are nearly impossible to plan for, and the fact that Odom is a great ball-handler and passer only adds to the equation.

Odom's 14 points and nearly 9 rebounds per game would be welcome on most starting units in the NBA, but the Lakers have the advantage of dictating tempo by bringing him off the bench.

Experience is the last and most distinguishing attribute of the Lakers' trio, because although the numbers are great, it helps to have players who have been through the gauntlet before, and understand what it takes to make it again.

Last season Gasol literally won the Lakers' first round series against Oklahoma City with a late put-back in Game Six, and Bynum's ability to play through a knee injury may have been the difference in the Finals' series against the Celtics.

Those experiences have helped instill motivation for the journey ahead, and in the face of a quickly approaching postseason the Lakers have begun to look like the league's most dominant team.

The Lakers have won 14 out of their last 15 games, and their strong push can be linked directly to the play of their interior players.

Gasol, Bynum, and Odom have controlled the paint during that stretch, and if they maintain their level of play there are few teams who can stand against their size, talent, and experience over the course of a seven game series.