NBA Playoffs 2012: Andrew Bynum's 30 Rebounds Show Lakers Are Contenders

With Andrew Bynum playing like this, the Los Angeles Lakers can beat anyone. In what has been a true breakout season for the Lakers' big man, he made his biggest statement in the team's Wednesday night 98-84 win over the San Antonio Spurs. 

Bynum almost out-rebounded the Spurs by himself. He had 30 rebounds to the Spurs' 33. Bynum's gigantic effort helped limit the Spurs to just one offensive rebound. He had eight times that many. 

The Score Ticker helps put Bynum's rebounding effort in perspective:

"

#Lakers Andrew Bynum is just the 14th player in last 25 years with 30+ rebounds in a game #CourtSurfing

— theScoreTicker (@theScoreTicker) April 12, 2012"

Obviously, this effort helped the Kobe Bryant-less Lakers take down the Spurs, and it also sent a statement to the rest of the league that Los Angeles is not going to be an easy out in the playoffs. 

What This Means for the Lakers' Playoff Hopes

Bynum has always shown flashes of brilliance during his career. He has just lacked consistency. Part of that problem is beyond his control. He has been injury-prone. 

Well, there is no doubting that he is healthy now and ready to go for the playoffs. After all, I can't think of a better physical than asking someone to grab 30 rebounds in an NBA game. 

Health hasn't been the only thing holding Bynum back. His effort has always been up-and-down. The down efforts have tended to coincide with his poor offensive nights. 

Bynum scored 16 points, but was just 7-of-20 from the field. The off-night shooting did not take Bynum out of this game in any way. In fact, it only seemed to motivate him to greater heights, as he displayed the intensity and tenacity that Lakers fans wish for before every game. 

Stop wishing Lakers fans; Bynum has figured out how to bring that fire on a consistent basis. 

This is going to infinitely help the Lakers over the course of a long series in the playoffs. Bynum proved he is ready to bring it every minute, no matter how the game is going. 

This will keep the Lakers from hitting the long spells of nonexistent defense that doomed them in the playoffs last year. Bynum will be able to anchor the defense and own the boards, and in the slower, more physical playoff environment, this is invaluable.