Season-ending surgery a possibilty for Bynum
The 76ers and center Andrew Bynum are considering arthroscopic surgery on the player's right knee in order to clean out loose cartilage, a procedure that would likely end the season for the center for whom they traded so many young assets, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
Season-ending surgery a possibilty for Bynum
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
The 76ers and center Andrew Bynum are considering arthroscopic surgery on the player’s right knee in order to clean out loose cartilage, a procedure that would likely end the season for the center for whom they traded so many young assets, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
Bynum suffered a setback in the form of swelling in his right knee following his participation in a five-on-five scrimmage, first reported in the Inquirer, last Friday. While the Sixers have been unable to practice recently due to the schedule, Bynum would not have been able to participate due to the swelling in his knee, which was also first reported by the Inquirer on Friday.
Bynum said his left knee “feels good.”
Following practice at Philadelphia College of Medicine on Friday, Bynum acknowledged that his season might in fact be over.
“Now it’s getting a little late, so I really don’t know,” Bynum said when asked if he were considering sitting out the final two months of the 76ers season. “I played in one scrimmage and [I have] a four- to five-day setback,” Bynum said of his latest setback. Bynum added that he is “just getting treatment and trying to push the fluid out” of his knee.
I still think I can play,” Bynum said, “but like I said, the season is short.”
Before the Sixers (22-34) dropped their seventh game in a row the night before at Chicago, Sixers coach Doug Collins said that he had not seen Bynum do anything since last Friday’s scrimmage.
On Friday, Collins elaborated.
“During this period of time, he’s not made any progress, and that’s obviously very concerning,” Collins said. “His concern that he was moving forward and he got to a point with the swelling where he’s making no progress.”
Bynum has said that he is not aware of a surgical procedure to remedy his condition,
Bynum, whom the Sixers acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in a 12-player deal, had serious knee issues with the Lakers, requiring surgery on his left one in 2008 for a dislocated kneecap and on his right one in 2010 because of torn cartilage. He played every regular-season game only once in his seven seasons with them.
Bynum, who is earning more than $16 million this season, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Sixers hold his “Larry Bird” rights and therefore can pay him more than any other team. However, the Sixers must seriously consider the ramifications of re-signing a player with a history of knee problems.
In order to acquire Bynum last summer, the Sixers, who also acquired injured shooting guard Jason Richardson in the trade, dealt Andre Iguodala to Denver, and Maurice Harkless, Nik Vucevic and a conditional first-round draft pick to Orlando.
Time to cut your losses. Give Bynum the rest of the year off, take away his access to the building, and send him a one way ticket to anywhere he wants. Give him until sundown to leave the city.— Ole School- I'm not good at math, but what is Bynam's salary per game played if he never actually plays a single game for the 6ers this year? Does anyone know? — Vituperator
- Its not good to think about. I am just estimating but its something around 185,000 dollars EVERY game. He makes 185,000 dollars sitting on the bench. Doing nothing. I thought he would at least try to get back late in the season as if he was in pain but was going to try to push through at the end, to not even play 1 game is HORRIBLE. Chase Utley has knee issues too and you dont see him sitting out an entire season, he at least struggles to play through half a season if he can, he puts in the effort. Most professionals play through injury, especially if they are the top paid player on the team, this is a new level of worthlessness that I have never yet seen. 185,000 grand to make a dumb interview each week and stare at fans in the seats who pay your salary. Wouldnt it be great if everyone could come in to work and sit there and stare at people and make 16 million dollars . Most unapreciative, clueless, lackluster no heart, 0 energy, worthless basketball player I have ever seen in my life.
- how the heck can this trade be legal at this point? HE WAS INJURED FROM THE GET GO AND NEVER PLAYED A MINUTE. Isn't there clauses in these trades and contracts to prevent this? This is unheard of in any sport.
there needs to be legal action— kchaz - This trade is a disaster which will set this team back another 10 years and we get to watch Vucevic blossom into exactly the young center the Sixers desperately need. The curse of Moses Malone continues. Except that at least Ruland played handful of games for the Sixers.
- What an absolute joke. I hope he never gets signed by another team and his under achieving "this is my life" Bowling arse goe broke— yourdaddy!
- At least Darral Imhoff made it on the court! The only remaining question: Was the Bynum trade worse than trade that sent Wilt to the Lakers?— gskeyser
- The Sicksers are a born loser organization.First Ruland, now Bynum! Don't forget, Shackelford, Bud Ogden, Derrick Coleman and Chris Webber Shawn Bradley in between— chickletonian
- The Sixers were duped out of $16 million by this guy, as well as two young players in Vucevic and Harkless. The worst trade in team history.— jaxforprez
- not much the player can do if his knees are shredded. time to move on.— OldCoach
- Can it be long before the Sixers 'braintrust' declares themselves the new 'Gold Standard'? F-L-E-E-C-E-D.— PhillySubsMac
- Wow. Lakers got us again! Suckered! 16 MILLION dollars for literally NOTHING....— warrentheape
- Playing for the lottery, baby.— brio
- This is the worst trade in team history...and that is really saying something for this organization. They've had some horrendous trades in their history.— jfdatl
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.
