L.A. Lakers: Why Andrew Bynum Is the X-Factor for the Lakers in 2012 Playoffs

The L.A. Lakers dropped an absolute dud in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, getting blown out by 29 points.

While the foundational reason as to why the Lakers struggled so much against the Thunder was the lack of rest the Lakers had heading into this matchup, another big issue for the Lakers was the lack of a defensive presence in the paint.

Andrew Bynum's lack of defensive pressure in the paint was at the forefront of the Lakers' loss, and it goes to show just how important Bynum's complete level of play is to the Lakers' postseason success.

The Lakers can't beat the Thunder without a defensive presence in the paint

Players like Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace are certainly integral to whether or not the Lakers make it to the Western Conference finals, but Andrew Bynum is the only player on the Lakers' roster who can stop the Thunder in the paint.

In Game 1, the Thunder scored 48 points in the paint, and while that's only four more than the Lakers scored, the Thunder's ability to get into the paint without difficulty also enabled them to kill the Lakers from the perimeter.

Looking forward to the next few games in this series, the Lakers absolutely must amplify their defensive pressure in the paint, and the one player who can do just that is Bynum.

No, Bynum doesn't have to average 10-plus blocks per game for the Lakers to take out the Thunder.  But he certainly needs to step up from under/around the rim and start contesting the shots of players like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden when they penetrate into the paint.

The Lakers certainly won't be able to keep the Thunder's backcourt from getting into the paint, but once they're there, Bynum needs to turn their high-percentage shots into contested, low-percentage shots.  The Lakers need to make the Thunder win the series from the perimeter, and that starts with Bynum stepping up his interior defense.

Bynum's offensive production opens up the perimeter for the Lakers' backcourt

Unlike other players on the Lakers' roster, Bynum's production on the offensive end opens up opportunities for his teammates around him.

Because of Bynum's 7'0'', 285-pound frame, he is an absolute force to be reckoned with when he gets the ball and starts to back down defenders.  When Bynum is effectively scoring the ball, his opponents must focus two defenders on him, which in turn leaves one of his teammates open.

Offensive efficiency is the name of the game for the Lakers moving forward against the Thunder, and that begins with the focus of their offense being on Bynum.

What Bynum needs to realize, though, is that it's not important for him to put up 15-20 shots a game.  What is important is Bynum hitting high-percentage shots early on so that the Thunder are forced to bring help-side defense whenever Bynum touches the ball.

It may sound odd, but the Lakers need Bynum to facilitate their offense rather than be the main source of offensive production.  When Bynum gets his teammates involved in the offense, getting high-percentage shots for himself becomes that much easier.

If the Lakers want to get past the Thunder and into the Western Conference Finals, they have to start relying on Bynum's interior presence on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

There's no doubt that Bynum is the X-factor for the Lakers in the playoffs.

The only problem is that I'm not quite sure the Lakers have realized Bynum's true potential yet.