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Los Angeles Lakers: 10 best centers in team history

By Amaar Burton

LOS ANGELES - FEBRAURY 12: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal pose for photos during the American Express Celebrates the Rewarding Life of Earvin Johnson event on February 12, 2004 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - FEBRAURY 12: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal pose for photos during the American Express Celebrates the Rewarding Life of Earvin Johnson event on February 12, 2004 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

6. Andrew Bynum (2005-12)

Your analysis of Andrew Bynum’s career will most likely be rooted in how good you think he could’ve been or should’ve been.

Some would argue that the No. 10 pick in the 2005 NBA Draft had potential to be a dominant force and the best center in the league during his time with the Lakers. Others would argue that Bynum went pro too young and was too injury-prone; that he overachieved by earning All-NBA and All-Star honors in the league.

Bynum was chosen by the Lakers out of high school at 17 years old, the youngest player ever picked in the NBA Draft. When he made his regular-season debut just a few days after his 18th birthday, he was the youngest to ever play in an NBA game.

Bynum was pegged as LA’s replacement for Shaquille O’Neal, who had been traded one year prior. He never managed to fill Shaq’s shoes and form a dominant tandem with Kobe Bryant, but Bynum did help L.A. win two championships (2009, 2010).

He was All-NBA Second Team and an All-Star in 2011-12, when he averaged 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.

While Bynum was often the third or fourth option on teams that featured Kobe, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, he had moments where he dominated the competition. Bynum put up 42 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks in a 2009 game against the LA Clippers when he was still just 21 years old. He grabbed 30 rebounds in a 2012 contest against the Spurs. He blocked seven shots in Game 2 of the 2010 Finals against the Celtics.

After seven seasons, the Lakers traded Bynum to the 76ers as part of the four-team deal that sent Dwight Howard to the Lakers. Bynum never played for the 76ers, however, as the knee injuries that hampered him with the Lakers caught up to him enough that he sat out the entire 2012-13 season.

Bynum played one more season split between the Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, but his knee problems ultimately ended his career at 26 years old.

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