Re-Ranking Andrew Bynum and the Best Big Men in Lakers History

Since the franchise's establishment in 1947, the Lakers have taken home 16 NBA Championships, most of them due in part to the great play of team centers.

After being in the league for six years, 2011-2012 proved to be Andrew Bynum's breakout season. Let's take a look at how he now fits in with five other top big men in Lakers history.

No. 6: Vlade Divac

Standing at 7'1" and weighing 260 pounds, Serbian native Vlade Divac spent the bookends of his career in Los Angeles.

Divac played for the Lakers from 1989-1996, during which he averaged 12.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

Despite having an impact on the games in L.A., Divac found himself traded to Charlotte in July of 1996.

What did the Hornets trade for the center?

Draft rights to Kobe Bryant. No offense, Vlade, but I'm going to say the Lakers got the better end of the deal on this one.

After spending eight more years in the league (two with Charlotte and six with Sacramento), Divac returned to L.A. for his final season.

No. 5: Andrew Bynum

While I think Andrew Bynum shows potential to move higher on this list, he is not there yet.

The biggest knock against Bynum thus far is injuries. The 24-year-old has suffered numerous side-lining injuries over his six years in the league, and the consequences have been missed games, lengthy recovery periods and inconsistency on the floor.

This past season, however, Bynum finally proved to Los Angeles fans that he is the real deal.

Although he entered the NBA at only 18 years old, the center has demonstrated maturity and a high basketball I.Q. the entire time—and this year, he delivered stats to support it. Take a look at his career stats compared to those of the 2011-2012 season:

Career Stats: 11.7 PPG  7.8 RPG  1.2 APG

2011-2012 Stats: 18.7 PPG  11.8 RPG  1.4 APG

If he is able to repeat these numbers in the next few seasons, look for Bynum to move up the list.

No. 4: George Mikan

Playing earlier than any other big man on this list, center George Mikan spent eight seasons with the Minneapolis Lakers. 

Although he was not a top rebounder (9.4 rebounds per game), Mikan proved one of the leading NBA scorers of his time with 23.1 points per game.

According to NBA.com, the 6'10" athlete was taller than most NBA players at the time, and he defied all expectations:

"[Mikan] possessed superior coordination and a fierce competitive spirit, [and he] was one of the prototypes for the dominating tall players of later decades."

Mikan was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959. He was also a four-time NBA All-Star and was named to the Top 50 Greatest NBA Players in 1996.

No. 3: Shaquille O'Neal

Out of his impressive 19-year run in the league, big man Shaquille O'Neal delivered his most successful seasons in Los Angeles. 

O'Neal did not immediately shine, but his time came under the reign of coach Phil Jackson. In 2000 Shaq was named the league MVP, and he also became the first player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to finish in the top three in points, rebounds, field goal percentage and blocked shots.

In his eight years in purple and gold, O'Neal averaged 27 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.

While in L.A., Shaq found his name on the All-Star roster for seven seasons.

The 7'1", 325 center later played for Miami, Phoenix and Cleveland before retiring as a Boston Celtic following the 2010-2011 season.

For Lakers fans, however, Shaq will always stand as an icon for L.A.

No. 2: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Without a doubt, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a Lakers legend.

Towering at 7'2" and 267 pounds, Abdul-Jabbar played in the NBA until age 42. After spending six seasons with Milwaukee, the big man joined the Los Angeles team.

Abdul-Jabbar was named NBA MVP three times with the Lakers ('76, '77, '80).

Over his career, he was a 10-time All-NBA First Team player, and he also played in the All-Star game an incredible 19 times.

Abdul Jabbar tallied averages of 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.6 blocks per game. According to NBA.com, "his list of personal and team accomplishments is perhaps the most awesome in league history."

There is, however, one center in Lakers history that takes the cake...

No. 1: Wilt Chamberlain

Coming in at No. 1 as the top big man in Lakers history is the late Wilt Chamberlain. The 7'1" center played for several teams throughout his 14-year career, and he played in Los Angeles for his final five seasons.

The only player to ever score 100 points in an NBA game, Chamberlain excelled in every season he played. Even on his way out with the Lakers, he averaged an impressive 19.1 rebounds and 16 points per game.

In addition, he dished out approximately four assists per contest. Career-wise, he averaged 30 points and 22.9 rebounds per game. 

Chamberlain was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979, was named MVP four times, and was a seven-time member of the All-NBA First Team.

Chamberlain retired as an L.A. Laker in 1973, at the age of 42.