Andrew Bynum: Why He's the Most Dominant Player in the 2012 Playoffs

After his Los Angeles Lakers' embarrassing exit from last year's NBA playoffs, Andrew Bynum had a reputation for being an injury-prone seven-footer with a bad attitude. That label fit him so well that his name often popped up in trade rumors involving Dwight Howard, though Bynum showed flashes of potential when healthy.

This year, however, something in Bynum changed.

He didn't miss any time with injuries and averaged career-highs in scoring and rebounding. On top of that, Bynum just appeared completely focused and in great shape. Sure enough, his great regular-season performance has followed him into the playoffs, as the Lakers look to get to their third NBA Finals in four years. That said, while LeBron James and Kevin Durant are both fine players, Andrew Bynum is the best and most dominant player in the playoffs this year.

Thus far, Bynum has finally become the successor to Shaquille O'Neal that the Lakers hoped he would be when they drafted him 10th overall in 2005. In the opening-round series against the Denver Nuggets, he has made 60 percent of his shots while averaging 18 points, 10.4 boards and an astounding 3.6 blocks.  He doesn't have Shaq's size, but the effort is starting to mirror that of the future Hall of Famer.

Bynum even looked dominant in tonight's Game 6 loss, scoring 11 points while pulling down 16 rebounds and swatting away four shots. Sure, he only shot 4-of-11 from the floor, but his defensive effort more than makes up for it.

That all being said, why is Andrew Bynum the most dominant player in this year's postseason? Well, consider this: Guys like LeBron James and Kevin Durant are expected to put up great numbers night after night. They're great athletes, but one usually knows what to expect from them.

Bynum, on the other hand, doesn't have that label. In having an overall reputation as an immature player (which still pops up every now and again), opposing players surely underestimate his overall effort and skills, and don't think twice about leaving him open on a double team.

In the playoffs thus far, the 24-year-old has made the Nuggets pay for their lack of athleticism and experience in the low post, in the fact that he's scoring and playing defense with ease. The Bynum fans have come to believe the past few years he would probably play at a slower pace because of an injury, or maybe not give 100 percent at all.

Instead, Bynum has turned over a new leaf. Should the Lakers continue running on all cylinders and win Game 7, they will be in a prime position to bring another championship to the City of Angels. This year, however, don't be surprised if Kobe Bryant isn't the one named NBA Finals MVP.