Lakers center Andrew Bynum makes first All-Star team

Here’s a sneak-peek at tomorrow’s story …

Andrew Bynum was voted the starting center for the Western Conference All-Star team for the first time, joining Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant, plus Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Blake Griffin and Chris Paul of the Clippers.

The game is Feb. 26 in Orlando.

“I always wanted to be an All-Star,” Bynum said. “I said that six years ago. It took a long time. There was kind of some attrition there, no Yao (Ming) … (but) for me, it feels good. At least this year, I’m kind of putting up the numbers that qualified me for it.”

Indeed, Yao’s retirement left the position vacant.

Bynum stated his case effectively to the voting masses by averaging 16.5 points on 54.8 percent shooting and 12.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots in 18 games going into tonight’s contest against the Nuggets in Denver.

If he continues at his current pace, the 24-year-old 7-footer will set career highs for scoring and rebounding averages by season’s end. His career averages of 10.8 points on 56.7 percent shooting, 7.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks are modest at best.