Dwight Howard vs Andrew Bynum: Is There Really Any Comparison?

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard averaged 22.9 points, 14.2 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and shot 60 percent from the field during the 2010-11 season, on the way to earning another Defensive Player of the Year award.

Those numbers suggest Howard just might be the league's most dominant player at his position even if he isn't a true low-post center.

One of the only knocks on Howard has been the perception that he can't play with his back to the basket, and he doesn't possess the fundamental skills of a true NBA center.

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum has often been compared to Howard. Some people say Bynum's interior game is closer to that of a true center, and he is more fundamentally sound in the paint.

There is some truth to this theory since Bynum's 7-foot, 285-pound frame makes him a low-post presence by default, and his game is crafted along the lines of a traditional NBA center.

Bynum is comfortable in the paint on either side of the rim, and he can score in the post from either hand.

Defensively Bynum understands his role in protecting the rim, and has decent enough footwork and quickness to cover ground and help when a teammate has been beaten off the dribble.

Bynum was arguably the Lakers' best player in the second half of last season and the playoffs, as he finally was able to play with the type of passion and aggression that Lakers fans have dreamed of.

However, Howard has been playing like that for the majority of his career, and the sheer magnitude of his accomplishments last season destroy any comparisons with Bynum.

Howard made the Magic a postseason contender almost by himself, and while his game may not be as polished as Bynum's, it's still pretty formidable.

Howard may not be the technical player that Bynum is, but he is the most physically overwhelming force in the NBA today. Imagine how good Howard could be when he does acquire more post skills.

Howard has spent some time working on his footwork with NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon, and the extended league lockout should give Howard even more opportunity to commit to his post game.

And even though Bynum is a little younger than Howard, injuries may prevent him from ever reaching the ceiling that Howard is capable of.

Both players still have time to improve, but unlike Bynum, Howard has never faced any type of significant leg injury.

Bynum never had Howard's athleticism, and the constant damage to his legs have diminished some of the lift and quickness he does possess.

And for Bynum, the threat of yet another setback seems to always be just around the corner.

I can understand any argument that says Bynum may be a more skilled player than Howard, but that just makes Howard that much more impressive.

Howard's production and impact on both ends of the floor is clearly superior to Bynum's, and once he really does understand how to play the center position Howard has the potential to be a legend.

Even if Bynum does manage to stay healthy for the rest of his career, I'm not sure the same can be said for him.