Which Big Man Should L.A. Lakers Ride in Playoffs, Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum?

Andrew Bynum is the key big man for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

Pau Gasol is nearly as important. As the third wheel.

Dinged up or not, Kobe Bryant will do what he does, but the Lakers have diversified this season (especially in his absence).

The closer role is still his, but Bryant is now just one of many weapons in L.A.

Bynum is the biggest (literally and figuratively).

Gasol is a true inside/outside threat, yet he can be guarded straight up in most cases. He thrives when the defense is focusing elsewhere.

Andrew Bynum commands a double-team from any team that doesn’t have Roy Hibbert or Dwight Howard.

Gasol has proven over multiple seasons that he’d rather be a supporting star, whereas Bynum has put the Lakers on his broad shoulders during Kobe’s absence.

There’s no disrespecting what Pau does, but Bynum has recently asserted a productive nasty streak that Gasol will never have.

The Lakers definitely need both big men if they’re to make a run this postseason.

Gasol’s role will remain largely the same. Andrew Bynum needs to continue as the cornerstone.

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