NBA Playoffs 2012: Can Andrew Bynum Be the Postseason's Most Dominant Player?

The Los Angeles Lakers Lakers left plenty of impressions in their 103-88 victory over the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, but none were bigger than center Andrew Bynum's triple-double.

Bynum's 10-point, 13-rebound, 10-block performance was the Lakers' first postseason triple-double since Magic Johnson accomplished the feat in 1991, and his 10 blocks ties Bynum with Mark Eaton and Hakeem Olajuwon for the most blocks in a single game in postseason history.

And if Bynum can avoid another injury, even more postseason glory could be just down the road.

In an article I said that Lakers guard Kobe Bryant would only win his sixth ring if Bynum captured his first NBA Finals MVP award, and Bynum's Game 1 performance only reinforces my theory.

Bryant was the game's leading scorer with 31 points but Bynum controlled the paint and the game whenever he was in the contest, and Denver's hopeless forays to the rim continued to grow more comical by the minute.

I'm pretty sure Bynum blocked at least one shot from each member of the Nuggets' starting five, and that rare ability to determine a contest without scoring points could be a game-changer.

Bynum has always had the size, talent and potential to be a superior defensive player, but now it appears that he truly understands how much his play on that end of the court impacts his team.

In fact, in the fourth quarter Bynum was much more concerned with adding to his blocks totals rather than his points, and that's great for the Lakers and scary for the rest of the NBA.

I know that Derrick Rose's injury gives the Miami Heat the inside track to a return trip to the NBA Finals, and the versatility of forward LeBron James makes this a likelihood.

In the Heat's Game 1 win over the New York Knicks, James scored 32 points and shot 71 percent from the field while showing the versatility that makes him one of the postseason's most dangerous players.

James' ability to dominate a game from multiple areas makes him arguably the NBA's most important player when it comes to his team's chances of reaching the NBA Finals, but where would you place Bynum on that list after his own Game 1 performance?

If Bynum can consistently defend the lane like he did against the Nuggets in Game 1, then the Lakers will certainly be a tough out, but the team has the potential to be much better.

Bryant's 10-of-23 shooting performance was decent and Gasol's 13-point, eight-rebound, eight-assist effort was strong, but what happens once all three players are in sync?

Kobe's nature will almost guarantee that Bynum will get less looks at the basket during the playoffs, but to Bynum's credit, he may be beginning to realize that true greatness is not only found on the the offensive end of the court.

Think about it.

In the space of a few weeks Bynum has etched himself into the annals of Lakers and NBA history with his 30-rebound game against the San Antonio Spurs late in the regular season, and Sunday's gem against the Nuggets.

Bynum's game has progressed tremendously over the span of this short season, and his good health has apparently boosted Bynum's confidence.

There are few players in the NBA who have Bynum's size, strength and presence, and there may be none who possess his talent and skill in the paint.

There was a time in the NBA when titles were determined by the dominance of the big men manning the middle of a team's offense or defense, and Bynum's potential may be an ode to those days.

The Lakers may not be any closer to an NBA championship after their win over the Nuggets on Sunday afternoon, but if Bynum can sustain his focus and dominance how can you count them out?