Bynum experiences overwhelming Philly love at presser
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Bynum experiences overwhelming Philly love at presser
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
If the latest 76ers press conference to introduce their newest players – Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson – is any indication, the Sixers, who have been hitting homers all summer, may have smacked a grand slam today in the atrium of the National Constitution Center.
If you weren’t one of the at least 2,000 fans who showed up with signs, painted faces in some cases and lungs ready to serenade the new Sixers, you should be advised that it was so good and positive that the Sixers – the team currying all the good favor in this city this summer – probably would have been justified charging admission to the free event.
At least 15 minutes before Bynum, Richardson, majority owner Joshua Harris, CEO Adam Aron and president Rod Thorn ascended the podium in the sprawling, gorgeous atrium, the crowd was working itself into a frenzy. Sixers coach Doug Collins, fresh off his stint as a basketball analyst, sat in the front row, smiling from ear to ear.
The mob roared chants of “An-drew Bynum!!” “Beat LA!!’ “Joshua Harris!!” and “Adam Aron!!” and, of course “Let’s go Sixers!!” before, during and after the presser.
And everyone said the right things, especially Bynum.
Appearing relaxed in sweat pants and a white Sixers tee shirt emblazoned with the franchise name in red and blue across his chest, Bynum told the cheering throng that he was blown away by the crowd (which was evident in his face as he and Richardson made their way to the dais).
When asked about his future in Philadelphia, Bynum, who can become an unrestricted free agent next summer indicated that he was so excited and moved by the reception that he couldn’t imagine not re-signing with the Sixers.
“To be honest, man, my first experience here has been so great I’m really leaning toward making this my home,” Bynum said, prompting the fans to explode in cheers that made much of what he said after that inaudible. “I’m really leaning to making this my home.”
To which Harris, grinning from ear to ear, responded: “Where do I sign.”
Bynum allayed fears that anything was wrong with his knee and that the non-surgical procedure on his knee in Germany had been already scheduled for Sept. 9.
When it was over, Bynum couldn’t help but return the love, signing autographs (Richardson, too) until he had to do more of his press duties.
This is probably the most excited the team’s fan base has been in years. I was asked how this compared to when the Sixers signed Allen Iverson. My response was that Iverson joined a team that was wretched, one that had no expectations.
Bynum is an all-star center with a pair of championship rings whose best playing days should be in front of him. Sixers fans get that and know that this is far different.
why is he waiting till Sept 9th— rbrogna1- He hasn't really experienced the Philly fans but alseast he knows that there is love and appreciation somewhere in the fan base. When he has a bad night and looks bad to some of those bandwagon fans, he'll get another look at things. But atleast he's been accepted and appears to want to be here.— nceagle
- Andrew Bynum becoming a centerpiece for the Sixers to build around gets me so excited, there's no hiding that feeling...but someone, please tell me what the "hitting home runs all Summer" statement is supposed to mean...Anyone in attendance, please chime in with the atmosphere, and personal high and lowlights....Heard DC did NOT speak (guess that's just for the "reporters only" PC's),and heard that Mikey Miss got booed prior to asking Andrew a question...Anyway, Fall Camp can't get here quick enough. Go Sixers!— bearsfriend
- 100% agree on the home runs all summer bit. Mitchell has a bad habit of loving his drivel more than the actual facts. And of course, the more apt comparison about a new (key) player arriving by trade would be Moses Malone; but, of course, Mitchell would much rather get weak kneed over Iverson. Didn't we once have a good basketball writer in this town?
Thank you for reporting on the Hypocrite Missile's booing.
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- Best center since Moses to wear a Sixers uniform = best chance since Moses to win a title.— Iron Giant
- nice job by sixers ownership— stayoutofphilly
- two combustible ingredients here...bynum and we philly fans (capable of love one second and hate another). we'll see when he sees the other side or says something stupid. nonetheless, great move by the sixers— sam.c
- Probably not a bad time to order season tickets. Looks like there will be entertainment again in Philly on Friday nights before heading to the Casino.— Dexter
- Iron Giant said it best. Fans know this. Wasn't this excited for Iverson because I didn't think he was a team player. He wasn't.— theodotius
- No more "doofus" Iggy shots!— jim from WC
- passionate,intense,BIGGER.— bearsfriend
- Dare say the homers all summers refers to adding a 6-9, 2-3 who can shoot the 3 and has averaged 16 ppg.; Nick Young, who has to show up and play in a short deal to keep his career alive (chemistry); being able to bring Kwame off the bench as a solid post defender/rebounder; saying goodbye to a 6-1 shooter who could shoot you in (sometimes) or out (more often than not) of games; drafting Harkless, the piece Thorn said was crucial to the Sixers being able to make the deal; keeping Lavoy in house; and acquiring Moultrie. Looks to me that, yes, they have been hitting homers all summer long. Go Sixers!!— Rawkus
- Just to counter...Maybe I'd call it TBD'd "hits" that could add up to something...The Sixers DID jettison off on/off- court leadership, their most efficient offensive player(Lou),ace defensive player(AI).2of the top 7 assist to turnover players in the league...while awarding a couple of 2 year/$6 million deals to 2 guys that weren't heavily pursued by opposing teams...still have to get a true "buy in" from some of these short deal players not necessarily known for team play, as well as building chemistry with 8 new players in a sytem that appears to need changing with new personnel...The key in addition to finally having that "serious" big, is that now the Sixers will get a true gauge on Jrue and ET, which they'll need to do going into the future...Nothing wrong with stringing hits together, just WOULDN'T call the earlier moves "home runs". — bearsfriend
- Supporting the over the top "homers all summer" line is simply delusional revisionism. All summer virtually every regular here said either they were waiting for another shoe to drop, or they were disappointed that all the team did was give themselves financial flexibility, or noted their lack of any good center, credible power forward and competent point guard. Keeping Lavoy Allen can best be described as a dribbler through the middle.
Home run? It was a shutout with inept situational hitting.
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John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
