Bynum's knees pain-free, could return around all-star break
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Bynum's knees pain-free, could return around all-star break
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
Because the news about Andrew Bynum has been discouraging for so long, reporters, when given the chance to question the 76ers' big man, tend to expect him to give answers that are more negative than positive about his knees.
I’m guilty of that myself.
Recently, though, when he has spoken unfiltered, Bynum has been indicating that he clearly feels he’s making significant progress in his efforts to get on the court.
After working up a sweat with associate coach Michael Curry and head athletic trainer Kevin Johnson – Bynum was shooting jumpers along the baseline, out on the perimeter and attempting some shots with minimal jumping - he said that he now thinks it possible that he’ll join the team by the all-star break.
“I have no idea exactly, I just want to get back,” Bynum said Monday. “I think, I’m hoping around the all-star break. That’s what I’m hoping. I have no idea exactly when I’ll be back.”
The all-star break begins Feb. 14 and ends Feb 20. The team has 31 regular season games to play after the break.
Asked if the pain in his knees was ‘tolerable,’ Bynum gave another encouraging answer.
“It’s minimal,” Bynum said. “It’s not hurting.”
So we know that as of this date, with him yet to run on the court, Bynum’s once painful knees are totally pain-free.
Bynum, who has been jogging on the team’s treadmills and anti-gravity machine, said Monday represented the first time he had actually run.
“I went as fast as 8-miles-per-hour,” he said.
He’s not doing any straight-line running just yet, but Bynum hinted that this was coming soon. Running up and down the court will be the biggest test for Bynum, who appears ready to soon graduate from the treadmill and the other machinery he’s been using. When he does start running – who knows, this could come before the end of the month – the expectations for his return to the court will only be heightened.
He says his weight is in the 300-pound range. However, his weight is not in his midsection. Bynum has no gut and his swelling arms and chest indicate that he is taking the weight lifting seriously.
I don't think he's a slacker, I don't think the Sixers got taken (if he isn't able to play). I think they took a gamble to get better, and if it doesn't work out, then I'll still say that I thought they should have done it.
I thought that getting the second selection in the 1993 draft was best for them. I didn't like Webber or Hardaway, and I thought that the second spot would be perfect to gamble on Shawn Bradley. It didn't work out, but hindsight is 20-20. OTOH, when I mention Roy Hinson to my wife, whom I had been seeing for two weeks before the 1986 trade, she still says she can hear me yelling, "you suck, Roy!"— HolidayinCambodia- Jeff Ruland all over again.— Cardinal Fang
- Returning by the all star game may be too late for the Sixers. If they don't play better, they will be so far behind that it will be impossible for a team playing .600 ball to even make the playoffs.— Drumgoole
- whats the over-under on how many games Bynum plays before he gets hurt for the season again? 5? 10? I feel like it should be in that range.— KingOfPhilly
- bearsfriend: There is a way to know how Iggy, Lou Will, Vucevic and Harkless would have played. Just look at the tapes of last year's mediocre team.
I'll grant you that Vuc would have been better, although he wouldn't be putting up this year's numbers with Collins as his coach. ET, though, would have been a non-factor again instead of a player putting up the same numbers Iggy is putting up this year in Denver. I wasn't content with a lucky second-round out last year, and am glad ownership was willing to take a shot at greater things, too.— iceman - Forget about him playing basketball again. Trade him to the Flyers as a goaltender. He is so big and bulky, he could just sit on the ice and block everything without even having to move.
Maybe Brcz could play center for the Sixers - he sure can't do much for the Flyers !— candidly - return?— BigVilFromWestPhil
- Andrew Byum is irrelevant to this team until he starts playing. However, the last 36 games was a golden opportunity to do a stress test on this team; a test to check how would this team do when it's super star is out. The result is very obvious, not good. The major issues - there is no proper back up centre. Kwame and Lavoy are not the solution and Sixers needs to find the replacement. No one should expect Bynum to play the entire season even when he is healthy, so this team need a proper backup centre irregardless. Minor issue - if the Sixers could replace either Wilkin or Ivey with a legit PG would be a bonus. The Sixers should feel lucky that they can identify these issues earlier and makes the necessary adjustment while waiting for Bynum to play officially.— 1500locust
- Can't see how anyone can definitively say the trade was worth it. The only way this trade works is if he's healthy and he re-signs. If we only get him for 25-30 games and he signs with another team then this will go down as one of the worst trades in NBA history. Harkless, Vucevic, Iggy and a 1st round pick for Jason Richardson— caught-u-sleepin
- Jrue Holiday does not make his teammates any better....Trade him— biagio77
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.
