NBA Playoffs 2012: Kobe Bryant's Return Will Handcuff Andrew Bynum in Postseason

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant told ESPN's Ric Bucher that he could return to the lineup as early as tonight against the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers will attempt to hold onto their slim one-game lead over the Los Angeles Clippers in the Pacific Division.

While he sat out for seven games with a shin injury, the Lakers went 5-2 with center Andrew Bynum as the focal point of the offense. In Bryant's absence, the Lakers showed good balance on offense for a change, which is something that could be lost as Kobe prepares for his return.

Bryant, in fact, could end up handcuffing Bynum's production. That could be a thorn in the side of any chance the Lakers have of winning a championship.

The success of everyone else in a Lakers uniform was evident in Bryant's absence, but that was to be expected with more shots to go around. Bynum's shots jumped from 12.5 a game to 19.6, Pau Gasol went from 13.6 to 18.3 and Metta World Peace more than doubled his season scoring average to 16.3 points per game.

That puts Kobe in a very difficult spot, as he got to watch firsthand how effective the Lakers had become offensively without him. But it's going to be very difficult for him to find the balance between scoring and distributing.

Bryant leads the NBA in scoring at 28.1 points per game and averages 23.2 shot attempts per game. But he's also shooting only 43 percent from the floor—his lowest efficiency since his second season in the league.

In Kobe's absence, Bynum exploded, averaging 23.1 points and 14.1 rebounds per game—over four points and two rebounds more than his season averages.

When they are actively involved in the game plan, Bynum and Gasol are next to impossible for opposing teams to match up against. But with Bryant on the floor, the Lakers have the tendency to forget about the team's real strength.

Playing the game inside out will make the Lakers tough to beat in the postseason, but Bryant's game is based more on isolation. While Kobe wants to win another ring, he's not likely to change his game or give up many shots to do it.

That's not to insinuate that the Lakers are better off without Bryant, because they aren't. It does suggest that Kobe needs to make the adjustment to make the Lakers' big men the primary focus of the offense.

That's very unlikely to happen. Bryant's a proud player, and he wants—and will get—the ball in hands very often. If his shooting woes continue, it not only lessens the Lakers' chances at a title, but it also keeps Bynum and Gasol less active in the process.

It's easy to get in a rhythm offensively when you're getting frequent touches. That probably won't happen with Kobe assuming the role of primary scorer.

At the end of the day, Bryant will end up handcuffing not only Bynum, but the Lakers' chances at a championship.