Dwight Howard Trade Speculation: Comparing Howard to Andrew Bynum

The Los Angeles Lakers are known to have a strong interest in the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard, which has led to a number of trade scenarios, most, if not all, built around Andrew Bynum.

With Kobe Bryant aging fast, the time for the Lakers to win is now. And if this past postseason performance was any indication, Los Angeles needs another superstar to pair with Kobe for them to truly be a contender.

In Orlando’s case, Howard can, and will almost certainly, become a free agent next summer, and the thought of losing him is more than the Magic and their fans can bear. However, watching him leave without any receiving anything in return will prove to be more painful, which is why moving Howard is a viable option at this point.

Los Angeles is one of the few teams that can offer a solid big man in return for Orlando’s superstar center, which is why speculation has been running rampant since May.

Such speculations have a legitimate chance of becoming a reality, and with this in mind, let’s take a look at how Howard and Bynum stack up against each other.

Low-Post Offense

Last season, Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard had relatively similar field goal percentages, with Bynum shooting over 57 percent and Howard nearly 60 percent, respectively.

While these numbers are similar, their offensive games were actually pretty different. Both have the ability to take over in the post, but go about it in two very separate ways.

When Howard receives the ball, he's usually less than 10 feet away from the basket, while Bynum on the other hand is at the top of the key a lot more. And even when he is not at the top of the key, Bynum is still further from the basket than Howard would be, which makes him have to work harder for his offense.

In Bynum’s defense, he does have slightly more range than Howard does, but one of the reasons that Howard has looked so unstoppable over the years is he is basically underneath the basket when he receives the ball. Very little dribbling and complicated footwork take place on his part.

And the numbers are there to support this theory. Bynum averaged 11.3 points per game last season to Howard’s 22.9. Sure, Howard is the first option for Orlando on offense and Bynum takes a backseat to Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol at times, but his numbers could be much higher.

Bynum can dominate the low post, and he does at times, but Howard does it on a consistent basis, making him the more dominant low-post player.

The good news for Bynum though is that it comes down to mechanics more than anything.

Defense

Bynum and Howard are both defensive specialists, and force opposing teams to think twice before attacking the basket via the paint.

At 7’0”, Bynum is hard to avoid when driving to the basket. Opposing centers have an extremely tough time posting up against him and were often forced to kick the ball back out to one of the wing players.

Howard is no different. His sheer 6’11” presence intimidates opposing players. He is near impossible to post up because he uses that incredible wingspan of his to completely cover the guy with the ball.

While both are strong defenders, there is one significant difference that separates them from one another. Howard is more agile than Bynum, and as a result is capable of rolling over screens better and also picking up an elusive point guard who penetrates the outside defense.

Without a doubt, both Howard and Bynum are strong defenders, but Howard possesses an trace of finesse like attributes that enable him to be considered a more versatile, and in general, a better defender.

Blocks

Blocks are a part of defense, but have become an art all their own, hence an entire slide dedication to it.

Last season, Bynum averaged two blocks per game. He made use of his 7’0” body and contested nearly every shot within the paint. Howard averaged 2.4 blocks per game last season and was equally active in the amount of shots he not just blocked, but contested.

Bynum and Howard are two of the most prolific shot blockers in the league. If a player on the opposing team slips into the paint and puts up a shot without considering where either Bynum or Howard are, it is likely the ball will not even be given a chance to begin its descent.

In terms of blocks, Howard and Bynum are pretty similar. Sure, Howard averaged more blocks per game, but he is the only true big man that defends on Orlando. Bynum and Pau Gasol share the responsibilities down low, which certainly accounts for the slightly less amount of blocks Bynum accrued.

Neither player here has the clear edge.

Rebounding

Howard grabbed 14.1 rebounds per game last season, while Bynum took down 11.4 per game.

One major factor that must be put under consideration is Howard played about 10 more minutes per game than Bynum, so his slightly higher average does not necessarily give him the edge.

Howard crashes the boards like no other. Whenever a missed shot caroms off the rim or backboard, he will certainly be in the thick of the battle for it. He exhibits an aggressive style of rebounding unlike we have ever seen before, one that has pushed him to be one of the greatest rebounders the game has seen.

Bynum, while a solid rebounding center does not possess the same will or desire as Howard does. He gets his share of rebounds, but he is not one to chase them down and box out multiple guys to ensure he grabs it.

That role belongs to Howard.

Stamina/Fitness

Howard may be in the best physical condition of anyone in the NBA, and any other center to play the game for that matter.

Howard weighs 265 pounds, but he carries it well. He can run the floor on a daily basis, and his exceptional muscle development gives him an edge on both defense and offense.

Bynum on the other hand is a different story. He is no Shaquille O’Neal, but he weighs 285 pounds, and every ounce of it is visible. Bynum’s overall strength stems from his overwhelming size, rather than from pure muscle, like Howard.

Additionally, Bynum’s stamina is not the greatest, and it is a large part of why he played less than 30 minutes per game last season. He cannot run the floor like Howard can.

Howard’s physique is the pillar of fitness for the NBA, which is something Bynum cannot even come close to matching.

Leadership

Howard has been the leader of the Magic since he began his career in 2004, and has a result his has developed and matured in a way that Bynum hasn’t.

With veterans Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom by his side, Bynum has not been forced into a substantial leadership role. And what’s more, not only is he not a distinguished leader, but he is a questionable teammate.

Since Bynum entered the NBA in 2005, he has been surrounded by a hype that might have exceeded that of when Howard was drafted. Bynum has failed to fully meet expectations, yet he seems to possess an unfounded sense of entitlement. He is a solid center, but no superstar and cannot justify such an attitude.

Additionally, that sense of entitlement may only increase should he find himself in Orlando as the primary building block to the team. Becoming a franchise player overnight may boost his ego incredibly.

To be clear, this is not an attack on Bynum. He has his moments and in some interviews even seems somewhat humble, but there is an uncomfortable aura about him. And in his defense, it is not entirely his fault.

Bynum came into a situation where he was not expected to lead. Veterans were already in place for the Lakers to do that. Howard was instantly forced into becoming the heart and soul of the Magic.

As a result, we cannot completely hold this against Bynum, we can in fact, ascertain that Howard is clearly the better team leader.

Who Is More Valuable?

After analyzing Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum, it becomes clear who is more valuable between the two.

Howard dominates almost every aspect of the game while Bynum has failed to even meet expectations. Howard has made a name for himself the way that everyone expected Bynum to.

And while this analysis may seem lopsided, it is not meant to be. Bynum is a very good center and his size, combined with the fact that he is only 23, gives him the potential to have a very bright future.

However, the reality is that he has been inconsistent during his time in the NBA, and this makes it impossible to deem him more valuable. Howard is the treading leg that keeps the Magic’s head above water each season. They would be a lottery team without him.

Where would the Lakers be without Bynum?

They would not be better off by any means, but would still be a part of the playoff picture. And then you have the differences in overall attitude between the too. Howard is definitely more PR savvy than his counterpart.

Bynum is a talented athlete and is respected for what he is capable of.

But Howard, both on the court and off, nothing short of leaves us in awe each and every year.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter @DannyFavs2033.