Beast of the west happens to represent purple, gold

Andrew Bynum, the beast of the West. He’s the Los Angeles Lakers seven-foot center and the leagues ferocious beast. Now, the Lakers are dangerous, every team has to be aware of the gigantic seven-foot rising star.

Certainly, Bynum gives the Lakers a legitimate chance at a repeat to represent the Western Conference as he represents the purple and gold, attracting more fans’ and taking pressure away from Kobe Bryant, who scored six points under eight minutes, playing for the first time since sustaining a hyper extended right knee.

Obviously, Bryant’s presence doesn’t matter when there’s a beast playing on the same team.

There’s a healthy big-man in the middle, in fact they have another giant who’s a threat, Pau Gasol, which makes it difficult for any team in the league to defeat the Lakers.

I know it’s only preseason, but preseason is when a team gets an understanding on their upcoming season and the Lakers got their preview on Friday, in a 105-94 exhibition victory against Oklahoma City. Mostly, big plays came from Bynum, who’s emerging before our very eyes.

Seemingly, he’s the next dominate center in the league while Shaq seems washed up with Phoenix. In the season-opener, the Lakers play against Portland. They have a monster in the middle as well, Greg Oden, who is returning from knee surgery, but might not make an impact immediately, he will develop into a star, to where we might see an era of legitimate centers.

With the Lakers and Blazers meeting four times in the regular-season, it should be interesting match ups between Bynum and Oden, though it might take Oden some time to adjust and fully recover.

They’re two potent centers and will terrify their opponents, while waiting for them to drive to the paint. There won’t be much driving to the paint with Bynum nearby as opponents will force jump shots, whether than attempting a sure dunk or lay-up.

That’s how powerful and frighten it is facing a fierce competitor like Bynum, with him the Lakers are contenders to win a championship. And they have a chance to win a least 60 games in the regular-season.

For a preseason game, Bynum produced monster numbers, after scoring 23 points, on 10-of-15 shooting with eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Yes, his dominance puts the Lakers in a good position, in a tough Western Conference.

Bynum had 15 points by halftime, giving the Lakers a 63-53 lead at halftime. He’s so physical in the post, where he pulverized damn near every opponent inside, taking lob after lob and finishing each time with a dunk.

Making baby hook shots, while backing down players into the low post, makes you want to believe this is their year to win it all.

Now, since the Lakers have a beast, which is armed with many weapons, it will make Bryant’s game a whole lot easier.

Bynum has matured and developed into one of the league’s most dominant centers, and gives the Lakers a chance to dominant every team they encounter in the regular-season and playoffs.

It should be interesting to watch Bynum continue to leap, catch and dunk and it should be interesting to watch if the Lakers sign him before Oct. 31 to a five-year contract extension.

But, watching him perform in the playoffs will be the biggest stage of his career and an interesting time for him to prove he’s a true legitimate star.

Still, Bynum is the biggest star entering the season.