Bynum experiences overwhelming Philly love at presser
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.
Bynum experiences overwhelming Philly love at presser
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.
independent_1:thanks...yes,you could see the look of a guy who was having a huge "birthday party/return from war/accepting an Oscar" look all at the same time, probably MUCH different than being in laid back Lakerland....When he said he was feeling real close to wanting to re-sign "right now", to the backround of raucous cheers, I though he was having a victory speech after an election...Just awesome. Wonder if ESPN and NBA TV will pick that scene up....Not your average August 15th!...Agree on the potential of tinkering with the insight that AB is here...Hoping Omer Asik turns an ankle,leading to a Hawes/Royce White deal come mid to late December...Serious beef on the frontline, and another facilitator.— bearsfriend- I was thinking that maybe his first number choice is 33 and he obviously couldn't have had that in LA.— hillbillybirdsfan
- @bearsfriend: wasn't there live, but streamed it from sixers.com while eating lunch. Missanelli indeed got booed, then asked a typically inane Missanelli questions...paraphrasing "you weren't the main guy in LA, so you didn't have any pressure on you to perform. How are you gonna deal with the pressure?" To which Bynum gave a classic answer: "Pressure makes diamonds!" Didn't hear from Mikey Miss for the rest of the PC!
- Yes, I heard that as they played it over on 97.5...Missinelli played it off as a sign of "respect" (like he was a wiseguy)...He often makes me laugh, but he framed that question sort of creepy, like you say...Agree that AB came off POLISHED with that retort...Just a great start for the guy. — bearsfriend
- Like that trade Bears. Off the cuff, I was thinking about Deng who is seemingly always available. Terrific perimeter defense, can score and put in on the deck for at least 2 hard dribbles. I think he 2 years at $14m? This is what I meant by guys the brass would never entertain unless they believed AB was going to be here. Would the Bulls entertain a Deng & Gibson for Hawes & Thad later this year? We effectively replace Iggy with Deng and add another prime time strech, block, pick and roll defender in Gibson...— Independent_1
- Gibson's a guy I think the Sixers had (have?) targeted as a RFA next Summer, although I'm thinking now they're hoping for Moultrie to be that guy at the 4...DC has so many combinations, that I'm sure his ego will have him thinking he has enough to make hay, but I still pine for White, who I think is a really unique player,creating a mismatch at either the 3..or the 4...could give the Sixers that extra ballhandler they now have lost (depthwise),and is freakish physical...His being somewhat challenged as a perimeter shooter would not be such an issue with the plethora of 3pt bombing options DC can put on the floor(Royce White would THRIVE on a spaced out floor)...Regarding the Bulls, I think they're on egg shells over Rose, Teague looked lost in the Rookie League (I like him though), and they have to shave payroll. — bearsfriend
- I Believe we already have the pieces in place. We should see how this season plays out before we start looking to add additional players. All of philly thinks DC is a good coach. Some, think he's great, but, i think we all have confidence in Collins. Well...... This is Collins' most talented roster since being here. He now has all he has asked for. Dominating force in the middle ( Bynum ) floor spacers ( J. Rich, N. Young, D. Wright ) Penetrators ( Holiday, Turner, T. Young ) bangers ( K. Brown, L. Allen ) and lenght. I think the defensive mindset of the sixers will be more intense now because if you overplay and get beat, you have Bynum will be back there backing you up. So, let's see how this goes. Maybe, those extra pieces might already be in place— kerryt
The best part of the trade is getting rid of Iggy's whatever I dont care either way attitude. That is definately not philly style. That Mcnabb chicago give me the money but i dont care if we win or lose attitude has got to go. And we got rid of the cancer. The amazing part of this trade to me is that neither the lakers or the magic wanted too many dala but somehow we ended up with the second best center in the nba. Maybe Quixote had something going with that conspiracy theory about david stern.— Zeru- I just saw a circus today where an absolutely desperate franchise did everything except sacrifice a virgin to honor and flatter a fairly skilled (but eerily immobile for his age) center into signing long-term on the most unflattering terms to the future of this team. There are no sure things, but it's only even money that this guy plays the entirety of his team's games next year, and it's a lock that he will rankle with his offense/defense transition and frequent mental vacations. Today was probably a necessary evil in terms of generating buzz, season-ticket sales, etc, but let's be honest. It was shameless corporate folks at their shameless best and Bynum at his best isn't enough to get them there.— auntesther
- Does Germany accept Medicaid?— sammydelphia
- i dont get it? — ALB328
- I was surprised Doug Collins didn't speak. I was really hoping for some insight into what the starting lineup would be outside of the 3 obvious ones (Jrue-Turner-Bynum). Richardson might be in the starting unit (according to Dei Lynum) so that really leaves Hawes-Thad-Lavoy at PF which is what I would like to hear most. Hopefully DC goes away from Hawes, but I wouldn't be surprised. Depends on how it works out. It will give them a matchup advantage against most teams height and length-wise.
Minutes are still gonna be an issue. Turner-Richardson-Nick Young at SG (though Turner will be backing up Jrue at PG too). And Hawes-Thad-Lavoy-Moultrie at PF and Bynum-Hawes-Kwame-Lavoy-Moultrie at C. Will there be another trade? With Bynum and Lavoy who could bring toughness backing him up at times Kwame becomes expendable. I find it unbelieveable that we're gonna have 3 if not 4 shooters who could average 40% from 3 in Richardson-Nick Young-Wright and possibly Jrue who should get open shots. Thing is I don't think we can move any of them cause they fill holes. Wright at SF Nick Young replacing Lou and Richardson as a possible starter/vet.— joecooler2u - The talent is there and the fans can see it. How the Sixers jell on the court will be the key. Team defense will be crucial. Who does Collins use to guard LeBron this year? I can see us with a 2 seed heading into the playoffs. If Holiday and Turner can show continued improvement and consistency its going to be a fun year to follow.— bradco
- best move in years this is coming from a disgruntled fan that left the fan base ever since they traded away the face of the franchize and vowed i wouldnt return until they made some significant changes looks like they did just that this off season way to to go front office hads off to josh adamn and rob lets go sixers!!!!— DJ_Bootleggah
- Did you just say you stopped being a fan when Iverson and his 36 shots a game got traded, DJ? And last year's run of no names and unbelievable team defense that over acheived to within one game of the conference finals didn't get you interested? But now that Bynum is here, you are a die hard Sixer fan once again? Really??— Bobby V
Keith Pompey has been an Inquirer reporter since September 2004. He takes over the Sixers beat after covering the Temple men’s basketball team for the past three years and Temple football the past two seasons. Pompey also previously covered the Penn and Drexel men’s basketball team and Villanova football team after initially focusing on high school sports.
Pompey is a native Philadelphian and a University of Pittsburgh. Follow him on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers or reach Keith at kpompey@phillynews.com.
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.
