Los Angeles Lakers: Building the all-time “second best” squad

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Staples Center on March 03, 2020 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Staples Center on March 03, 2020 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

C: Andrew Bynum

Center was a tricky position to find a solid player for as the Lakers have had a history of dominant big men that typically lead the team in VORP or Win Shares. Heck, as previously mentioned, even Vlade Divac led the team in VORP at one point.

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We could have gotten creative and went with another forward and put Anthony Davis at center, but we decided to go with a traditional center and go with someone who was very important to the Lakers’ last two championships: Andrew Bynum.

Of course, in this exercise, we are taking the best version of Bynum that wore the purple and gold. So while his career flamed out quickly, we know we are getting a solid player in 2011-2012 Bynum, who averaged 18.7 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.

Bynum is used to playing with a great four and can thrive without being a primary scoring option. He is someone who would clean the glass nicely for this team and him being the fourth, or even fifth, scoring option shows how deep this team of “second-best” players really is.

Bynum was a two-time champion in LA with one all-star and All-NBA nod. If he never injured his knee after his lone all-star season then he very well could have carved out a career as one of the best big men of the decade.

Instead, he played only 26 games after the best season of his career.