Spurs vs. Lakers: Is Andrew Bynum or Tim Duncan the Better Big Man?

There's no denying that over the last 14 years, Tim Duncan has been one of the best “big men” in the NBA. His career average points per game is 20.3, with 3.1 assists and 11.3 rebounds. And it's not only his play in the paint that makes him deadly, but it's also the fact that he can hit jumpers.

Andrew Bynum is playing his first year as a starting center where he's managed to stay healthy. It's hard to compare a season of consistent statistics to the entire career of Duncan, but that's OK, because what's important is how they are playing right now.

The Los Angeles Lakers were routed Tuesday by the San Antonio Spurs, 112-91. The Spurs looked lightening fast on their end of the court, but when it came to the battle of the big men, Bynum still prevailed. He went for 21 points, two assists and seven rebounds. Duncan's numbers were similar at 19 points, three assists and eight rebounds. While that puts them at about even for the night, go back to the last matchup between the teams.

The still Kobe Bryant-less Lakers were able to shock many people and beat the Spurs. A huge part of this win was Bynum, who reached the 30 rebound mark. He went up against Duncan and pulled down 30 rebounds, got two assists and scored 16 points. Duncan's numbers were far less at two rebounds, no assists and 14 points. While Bynum did play more minutes than Duncan, it wasn't enough to warrant this big of a disparity in the stats. It was also Duncan's typical amount of minutes.

Even when the teams aren't matched up, Bynum's numbers still look better than Duncan's. He's averaging 18.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Duncan is getting 15.2 points, nine rebounds and 2.3 assists. These are the numbers to support the fact that Bynum is now in fact the better big man.

There are other intangibles that come along with this, too, though. Bynum is just a much larger physical presence than Duncan. Duncan is listed as a forward-center, although he typically plays a role at center because he's the tallest player on the Spurs (along with Tiago Splitter) at 6'11” and weighing 255 lbs. That is why he able to make some outside shots that Bynum can't. However, his smaller stature in comparison makes him inferior in the paint compared to Bynum. At 7'0” and 285 lbs., Bynum is able to muscle Duncan around in a way that allows him to get his shot and rebound.

Not only is Bynum bigger, but he's also much younger. Duncan has been in the NBA for twice as long as Bynum and went to college. Bynum was drafted right out of high school. While this gives Duncan more veteran experience, it also means he has a lot more miles on his legs. Coach Gregg Popovich doesn't like to play his guys more than 25 minutes. Bynum is young and hungry so he wants the minutes that coach Mike Brown will give him, which allows him to gain experience.

While there's no denying that Duncan is a highly talented, multichampionship-winning big man, there's no denying that at this point in their careers, Andrew Bynum is the better big man.