L.A. Lakers: Andrew Bynum Will Be the Lakers' Biggest Star, When Kobe Retires

After Andrew Bynum's 27-point, nine-rebound performance in Game 2 of the 2012 NBA playoffs, the center said he was frustrated because he felt that he could have played a better game.

Come again?

Bynum's dominance over the Nuggets in Game 2 may not have been as thorough as his triple-double in Game 1, but it was complete. Yet viewers were left with the feeling that Bynum could have possibly done more.

 "I left a lot on the court today," the center explained. "I worked way too hard before the game to let that happen. I could have had a perfect game...I left a lot of things out there tonight."

Those were Bynum's words to ESPNLosAngeles writer Arash Markazi after the Lakers' Game 2 win, but this article from TrueHoop's Henry Abbott suggests that Bynum's disappointment may not be just with himself.

Abbott theorizes that much of Bynum's frustration stems from the Lakers' inability to get the ball to him in the post, and in this instance Abbott has a point.

Through the first three games of the postseason, it has become clear that the Lakers' best hope for success begins with feeding the ball to Bynum in the paint, but is the main culprit for their failure to consistently do this star guard Kobe Bryant?

Abbott, who is a notorious Kobe detractor, certainly thinks so, and he does make a very compelling argument in his favor.

The most compelling point is simply the fact that the Lakers are a more efficient offensive team when Bynum is the focus of the their attack.

Abbott depends on statistics to form the basis of many of his arguments against Kobe, and while numbers can be skewed to prove any point, the fact that Bynum is 10th in the NBA in player efficiency rating is revealing. So is the point that Kobe is 79th.

Abbott also correctly notes that Bynum may be the best offensive center in the game, and maybe the best in the NBA period, so why not fully utilize an advantage like that?

I feel like Bynum may be the most dangerous weapon in the postseason on both ends of the floor, because there is not another team in the NBA who can counter his height, size or talent.

However, does Kobe feel this way, or does he believe that he is still the Lakers' best postseason advantage?

Abbott also alludes to a contentious relationship between Bryant and Bynum, and while no true controversy appears to exist, this situation does remind me of another chapter in Lakers history.

Not too long ago, there was a brash young star guard for the Lakers and a still dominant but declining star center who could not put aside their egos or differences for the common good.

Shaquille O'Neal couldn't accept the fact that Bryant was beginning to assume the role as the Lakers' top dog, and the friction eventually led to the historic breakup of one of the most dominant tandems in NBA history.

Bynum has not reached O'Neal's level as a player, and he may not yet be ready to assume the mantle of the team's most valuable player, but the parallels reek of irony.

If Bynum can remain healthy and continue to improve at a rapid rate, he will eventually become the team's most important player, despite cries to the contrary from Kobe's biggest supporters.

Some of Kobe's fans believe he will be the Lakers' best player until the day he retires, but if that is true, the franchise will be doomed to mediocrity until that point.

In order for the Lakers to win a title this season and in seasons to come, they will have to take advantage of their biggest advantage, and that is not Bryant.

The bigger question may be, can Bryant come to terms with this idea, or will his ego eventually play a contributing role in another historic breakup like it did so many years ago?

Kobe has definitely matured into a great leader and a better teammate, and this is most evident in the way he sticks up for his guys in the press, especially Bynum.

Kobe has displayed plenty of passion, empathy and leadership when discussing Bynum's numerous misadventures this season, and he has seemed like every bit the gracious teammate.

I only hope that Kobe can transfer some of that graciousness to Bynum on the court as well.