FMC: Andrew Bynum of the Los Angeles Lakers

If you rewind to the NBA trade deadline, there was a lot of talk about the possibility of the Lakers parting with 23-year old center Andrew Bynum. There were many clamoring for Bynum to be shipped to Denver in exchange for Carmelo Anthony. For all of the excitement about Bynum’s skillset and potential (the always dangerous “P” word), concern about his frequent injuries and slow recovery from the latest procedure had fans and pundits wondering whether a change of scenery was appropriate.

Bynum obviously didn’t get dealt during that period, and we’re finally seeing him play to expectations. He’s logged a double-digit rebound total in nine of his past 11 games (six double-doubles). Bynum snatched 15 or more rebounds in five of his past six games.

Skeptics wonder if he’ll be able to bang and bruise his way through the playoffs without sustaining another injury. Fantasy owners and Lakers fans will celebrate his dominance at a scarce position while they can.