Clearly Bynum would have improved them, if for no other reason than to make them one player deeper on the bench. Plus he is their only real shot-blocking threat. Bynum was getting better each game before he went down. It is only fair to say the Lakers would be stronger considerably were he playing now.
Before this series started, I took us in 5 games. If Bynum were healthy, I would have taken us in 7 games.
Next year, let's be fair, the Lakers are going to be trouble. Will be interesting to see how quickly Portland develops into a contender, with Oden due back, and probably a trade in the offing to get a solid PG (TJ Ford?) to run their offense.