Bynum might not return until January
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Bynum might not return until January
Bob Cooney
The 76ers announced that Andrew Bynum might not be able to play basketball until January because of his knee injury.
In a statement, the Sixers said that Bynum had an MRI exam on Nov. 5. The diagnosis from Dr. David W. Altchek of New York's Hospital for Special Surgery, who also is Bynum's longtime personal doctor, moved the time back three weeks when the center could resume basketball activity.
If all goes well, Bynum would be able to return to basketball activity on about Dec. 10. The team said he will need an additional 1 to 4 weeks for "conditining, training and practice before before being able to resume game play with significant minutes."
Sixers GM Tony DiLeo said in a statement: "We know that Sixers fans are eager to see Andrew Bynum play and shine in a 76ers uniform. 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."
Comments (66)
And certainly Mr Bynum is well aware he needs a contract after this season and the Sixers are in the best position to give him one. Or let him go if he's Jeff Ruland. (there's that name again)— PhillySubsMac- January for Bynum, yet Howard starts the season on time after back surgery? I'm not a doctor, but someone please explain how this is possible. Fortunately we have Allen and Hawes playing well. Note: I would still make this move knowing this, just for the opportunity to dumb Iggy's contract and attitude.— Bobby V
- Severely damaged goods. Surprise, surprise!
Do the Sixers actually think they have a prayer with LaVoy Allen and Spencer Hawes as the only legitimate, experienced, healthy 4 and 5 on the entire roster?
— dasher - Can you say Jeff Ruland?— kingnutter
- I didn't expect Bynum for a while, but how long is Brown out? I mean, he needs to eat up minutes when Hawes and Allen are in foul trouble since Collins won't play Moultrie.— HandNik
- This is not really a disappointment because I don't think the front office realistically thought Bynum will be part of the rotation anyways. The major part of the deal was to get rid of Iggy's contract. Bynum was really just an afterthought. If he plays, great. If he doesn't, WHO CARES?! Sixers have no obligation towards Bynum after this season, which is why this trade is brilliant for the Sixers.— penncrow19
- This is so disappointing.— bdd5014
- I'm guessing even January is a prayer. This is an interesting poker game. Bynum knows he must play well for the Sixers for an extented period of time this year in order to get a max contract whether the money is from the Sixers or not. He will never be pain free in his entire life unless he has his knees replaced. And so he will need to fudge the truth during exams in order to play. The Sixers know this and will need to assess just how much money is this guy worth given the fact he will never be able to provide 35 minutes a game for an extended period of time. Whereever he plays the rest of his career his minutes will need to be milked in the same way Rivers handles Pierce and Garnett during the regular season. The front office is in a tough bind. Al Jefferson will be looking better and better with each passing week.— barrywil
- Didn't the owner offer a max deal at the press conference. I think they expect him to be part of the rotation. If they do think hes damaged goods though, shouldn't they try to trade him?— The Pink Floyd
- He will never play a game as a Sixer. He'll sign else where after the season. The Sixers got snaked on this clown!— eaglelover1979
- agreed, crow. i would just hate for him to get well on the sixer's dime, and go elsewhere and be the second coming of Hakeem Olajuwon.— fillyfan
- Why, why, didn't the Sixers know about these issues before the trade? Patience is fine, but how do you not know the condition of a player you are trading for? How did he pass the team physical?— Stewart Miller
- Obviously, the key to the trade was unloading Negadala on somebody and a plus would be getting a big guy, too but no NBA team trades a big man of Bynum's capability unless he's damaged and they believe they got the most out of him as they could. As soon as the Lakers said they were in on a Howard deal, you had to know, it was partly because they knew Bynum was near through. Howard can stand there with his surgically fixed back and block shots, pass, shoot or dunk but for Bynum to run up and down the floor with the Sixers? That's gonna be a tough one......they may just end up playing a lot better game without him out there....— Mark1npt
- The timing of Bynum's injury is unfortunate. But I'm optimistic he'll recover fully and perfectly happy to let the Sixers take their time in getting him back on the court whatever 100% is for him. As long as the mid-December timetable holds and we start to see him on the court, progressing with no setbacks, that will be encouraging enough. The Sixers will have plenty of time to see him play if he's healthy. They realize that he's a franchise player who's worth the wait to set this franchise up for the longer term. Bynum is a difference maker - worth 3 to 5 spots in the standings. Let's let him get on the court before we make any judgments. I'd be more upset that we let him go prematurely and then see him fully recover for another team than if we wait until he's ready to go.
And by the way, not even Jeff Ruland says "Can you say Jeff Ruland."— GeezOhWiz - Wait a minute...do not panic. The beauty of this is that if he can play, that's great. If not, his money puts them way under the cap next season and able to sign another high level player. It's win-win.— HB3
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About this blog
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
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