Bynum vs. Howard: Would Bynum Have Howard-Like Numbers Without Kobe?

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum did a lot of trash talking leading up to Sunday afternoon's matchup with the Boston Celtics, and when the two teams hit the floor Bynum backed every single word up with his performance on the court.

Bynum scored 20 points on 9-16 shooting from the field while grabbing 14 rebounds in a close 97-94 win, while simultaneously taking one step closer to becoming an elite NBA player.

Bynum has always had the physical presence, game and talent. Now it looks like he has the swagger of a superstar as well.

It's a given that most Lakers fans will adorn Lakers star Kobe Bryant with most of the credit for the Lakers win over the rival Celtics. But it shouldn't be for his go-ahead jumper with 41.7 seconds left to play in the 4th quarter.

Kobe's biggest play of the game was his decision to run a play for Bynum about 20 seconds later, and Bynum validated Bryant's strategy by converting a short hook shot over Kevin Garnett with 15.5 seconds left to play, which essentially sealed the victory.

It was another step forward for Bynum in a season that has seen him post career numbers in nearly every statistical category, but his attitude and mannerisms lately have been something much different.

Bynum seems to have grown up after serving his four game suspension from his classless actions in last season's playoffs. The immaturity from his game has nearly disappeared, but the passion and aggressiveness is still there.

And that might make the Lakers plans going further a little more difficult.

Andrew is only 24 years old but his statements entering a rivalry game with the despised Celtics were delivered like the words of a seasoned veteran.

And backed up accordingly.

This is the version of Bynum that Lakers fans have longed to see since Bynum was first selected as a 17 year old high schooler, but to at least some fans his coming of age may be bitter-sweet.

It has been assumed that Bynum would eventually serve as a potential bargaining chip to bring Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard to Los Angeles, but why should the Lakers do that now?

Howard is clearly the class of the NBA when it comes to centers and he has the numbers to back it up, but Bynum is not that far behind Howard in nearly every statistic across the board.

And Howard doesn't play with the NBA's top scorer and leader in shots attempted from the field.

At 20.9 points per game Howard only averages three more points than Bynum and the disparity in rebounding is about the same.

Howard also barely averages more assists than Bynum and there is hardly any difference between Howard's feared shot-blocking ability when it comes to the reality of numbers since Howard only leads Bynum at 2.2 blocked shots per game to 2.1.

Bynum's numbers are nearly equal to Howard's despite sharing the basketball with the league's most notorious gunner, and I failed to mention there is another member of the Lakers who also averages 15.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

Pau Gasol may have slipped to the Lakers number three scoring option this season, but his presence in the lineup still takes away from Bynum's touches.

It's impressive that Bynum is averaging a career high 12 shots from the field and shooting an efficient 56.7 percent from the field, but would his numbers be even better without Bryant?

I will never say that Bynum is a better player than Howard, but what do his nearly equal numbers on a team with Bryant and Gasol say?

I do subscribe to the argument that Howard gets by more with his strength and athleticism than his talent, but has Bynum's ability finally caught up?

Injuries will always be a concern with Bynum but when healthy I would argue his game has progressed at a much quicker pace than Howard's.

In fact Bynum very well could end up being a better player than Howard when it comes to NBA history, but did you notice Bynum's ginger limp when he exited the court late during a 3rd quarter time-out?