Los Angeles Lakers: Building the all-time underappreciated team
By Jason Elbaum
Center: Andrew Bynum (Laker from 2005-2012)
With all of the great big men who have worn the purple and gold over the years, it was difficult to find a big man who helped the team while still flying under the radar. When the Lakers selected Bynum out of high school 10th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft, it left many Laker fans scratching their heads.
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Andrew Bynum battled injuries throughout his Laker career but was a dominant force in the paint when healthy. The Lakers brought in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to work with Bynum to try to mold him into the next great Laker big man.
He became a key piece of the Laker team that beat the Celtics in seven games in the 2010 NBA Finals, combining great footwork and a soft touch around the rim.
He shot 57% from the field as a Laker and appeared in an All-Star Game as a starter in 2012. Another knee injury toward the end of the 2012 season sent his career into a downward spiral, as he never rediscovered his All-Star form.
These continued injuries and off-the-court issues led the Lakers to trade him to Philadelphia as part of the trade that brought Dwight Howard to LA.
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Overall, the Los Angeles Lakers own the most prestigious franchise in basketball, and some of the greatest stars to ever play. Because of that, these five guys are often under appreciated.