Archive: November, 2012
Andrew Bynum hasn’t shown up on the court, and he is a no-show on 5th Avenue as well.
Former 76er Elton Brand has fond memories of the four years he played in Philly, and even though the team parted ways with Brand by using the amnesty clause on him, Brand, who now plays for Dallas, has no hard feelings.
“They are great players, great coaches and, even more important, they are great people,” Brand said this morning at the Mavericks’ shootaround in preparation for Tuesday’s game at Wells Fargo Center against the Sixers. “And you hope that doesn’t change because that could bring a team down.”
“But as long as they have great guys who are willing to grow, willing to get better and willing to listen the franchise will be alright,” said Brand, who averaged 13.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in four seasons with the Sixers. “I still root for the franchise and I want them to do well – but not tonight,” laughed Brand.
The good thing about having shooters on the floor is that there is always the threat that the 76ers (7-5), who host Oklahoma City (9-4) on Saturday, will be able to make their outside shots.
But that sometimes causes an overreliance on the jumper, and that’s something the Sixers have at times found themselves doing. For a comparison, this season the Sixers have already attempted 20+ 3-pointers six times this season. During all of last season, the Sixers attempted 20 or more 3-pointers just three times.
Despite being more willing to shoot from long range, Sixers coach Doug Collins wants his team to get the ball into the post more than it has in order to get big men such as Kwame Brown, Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen more involved.
For Evan Turner, the time is now to start being more consistent in his play – and no one knows that any better than Turner.
"It’s the key," Turner said at the 76ers’ shootaround this morning at Wells Fargo Center before tonight’s game with Toronto (3-7). "I think consistency over greatness is the best thing right now."
Turner wants to put an end to the wide-ranging types of games he’s had and really start to show consistency in his third season.
Philadelphia 76ers center Andrew Bynum admitted before Sunday’s game with the Cleveland Cavaliers that he might have injured his left knee bowling one week ago Saturday.
“It’s the same exact injury, mirror images of the knee; I think it happened bowling, to be honest,” Bynum said.
On Friday Bynum, who has been trying to rehabilitate his right knee (bone bruise) told reporters that a trip to see Dr. David W. Altchek in New York revealed that he also has a bone bruise on his left knee and that the cartilage in both knees are in a weakened state.
Did 76ers center Andrew Bynum cause further damage - including a new bone bruise and cartilage damage – to his knees while bowling?
According to a report on ESPN.com, this might be the case. Citing multiple sources, ESPN.com reported that Bynum, who has yet to play for the Sixers, may have caused himself further damage while bowling.
There are several activities that are prohibited in standard NBA player contracts, but bowling is not one of them. Bynum is known to enjoy bowling, ESPN.com reported.
Andrew Bynum, who says he has never had any cartilage issues, says he has them now, in both knees.
About an hour before the 76ers were scheduled to play the Utah Jazz at Wells Fargo Center, Bynum revealed that he has suffered a setback – experiencing swelling in both of his knees – as he tries to make it back to the court by middle of January. Despite acknowledging the setback, he says he is still on schedule.
When the 76ers face the Detroit Pistons Wednesday at Wells Fargo Center they hope to have center Kwame Brown back in the lineup, according to coach Doug Collins.
“I’m hoping that Kwame will be able to give us some minutes tomorrow,” Collins said following practice on Tuesday.
Brown has missed the last four games due to a calf strain – the same calf strain that forced him out of the first two games of the season – and he has only appeared in one game with the Sixers. But with big men Lavoy Allen and Spencer not providing the Sixers with much consistency, Collins needs Brown on the floor.
A statement by the 76ers this morning at the conclusion of their shootaround indicated that center Andrew Bynum could be available to make his debut with the team at some point between the third week of December and the middle of January.
"We know that Sixers fans are eager to see Andrew Bynum play and shine in a 76ers uniform,” Sixers general manager Tony DiLeo said in the statement. “We also know that no one is more eager to see Andrew play for the Sixers than Andrew himself. He fully realizes the key contribution he can make to the team. Hopefully, that day is coming soon."
Recovering from a bone bruise to his knee, Bynum has not played for the Sixers, who acquired him in August in a four-team deal.
- Poll: About that trade for Andrew Bynum ... (2168 votes)
Even though 76ers coach Doug Collins had to play some guys extended minutes against the Celtics on Friday, the Toronto Raptors, tonight’s opponent, is the perfect foe for the Sixers to be facing under the circumstances.
The Sixers have won four of their last five meetings with the Raptors, and they have won two straight at Air Canada Centre.
Sixers coach Doug Collins was a little bit miffed that he had to play Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young all 41 minutes or more to get the 106-100 win over the Celtics, which is understandable.
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.
