Andrew Bynum reports progress in injury rehab
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Andrew Bynum reports progress in injury rehab
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
Sixers center Andrew Bynum seemed more optimistic today about his ailing knees than at any other time since it was first announced by the 76ers that he would not participate with the team during training camp.
Here are some of the things he said following practice today regarding the state of his knees:
“It’s definitely moving in a positive direction,” Bynum, who has been out with bone bruises and swelling cartilage, said. “I’m feeling better every day. I’m back to the weights and on the treadmill and I should be running here soon.”
That’s key – that he says he ‘should be running soon. That’s really what this is all about, Bynum getting on the floor. Not riding treadmills or swimming. The next crucial step is getting him on the floor, experiencing impact and playing basketball.
Bynum said of number of positive things. He said that his doctor, David Altchek, told him that ‘whatever is going on with the cartilage is going to wind itself up and I should be back at it pretty soon.’
That might be the most important thing. The swelling is gone in both knees and the cartilage, which was introduced as part of the whole equation right around the time that he injured the left knee bowling, is not bothering him.
Bynum said his right knee is not an issue at all. And he described his left knee as feeling ‘much, much better.’
He didn’t give a timeline. However, both he and the Sixers have backed away from timelines. Remember, we are quickly approaching the middle of Jan. If you recall, this is when both Bynum and the Sixers said – the last time they gave a timeline – that they expected him to return to the floor.
What we also know about Bynum is that the inactivity has him feeling rested. He said that his body feels fresh (as well it should), sort of the way he feels during the summer following a season when his body has recuperated from the rigors of the season.
“I feel the way I feel when the summer comes and my legs are fresh. I feel like that right now,” said Bynum.
He remains leery of a possible setback, nonetheless. Here’s what he said about that:
“It’s possible but right now the doctor has said that it will resolve itself. It’s going to be either 100 percent fine or your knee will swell up and give us signals that there is a problem. But as of right now my knee is fine and I think we are out of the woods with that.”
I couldn't hear anything on that video sixers.com posted other than a ball bouncing and fast speaking by Bynum. Seems like despite the critics Bynum is improving so hopefully this is a good sign for the 76ers as we can use some good news right about now. Ok onto the next thing (until the next Bynum update prob in a week or two) what are they going to do about getting some more ball-handling in here? Looks like they wanted a PG (Shaun Livingston) not too long ago but he got picked up by another team (Cavs) before he could clear waivers...— joecooler2u- IMO, that was one of Wayns' problems - his ball-handling. He seems to panic when pressured. There should be some guys available (I like Udri and W. Bynum). Re: A. Bynum -- it seems like Mitchell has responded to my repeated (albeit recent) requests for some information. The Big Knucklehead saying his legs feel freshg is a sign that he has decided it's time to start getting the fans ready for the return that has been pushed back for financial reasons. Like I said many times over the past few weeks here, his knees are "fine" -- at least as fine as they've been over the past couple seasons in L.A. This is about his next contract. The good news for the Sixers is that the size of his next deal depends on his play this season - FOR THE SIXERS!! One, two, three, four, five, Sixers ... ten, nine eight, 76ers ... — Copper34
- I'm with you joecool. I remain optimistic that a healthy Bynum combined with an emerging Jrue, Evan and Thad gives us a very talented young core. Bynum must be doubled which leaves Jrue to do his thing. Jrue is still learning at 22 and makes some questionable passes/decisions but I'm encouraged by the fact that teams are truly game planning for him and he's still getting buckets as well as getting teammates involved(3rd in assists with this team???) This trade IMO was never about this season, it was about the next 3 . You do not just put a team together in the NBA and win right away(Bos with KG, Ray, PP and Rondo was the exception but hasn't won since, Miami with Bron, Bosh and Wade didn't win their 1st year) The East is still not better than the West. While Miami is at the top with the Knicks 2nd, 3 through 10 is wide open (even when D.Rose returns to Chi). There are plenty of movable contracts on the Sixers roster(Wright, Swaggy, Ivey, Wilkins 1 year); Hawes, (sigh)Kwame 2 years. Also Wayns didn't show much of anything. Granted DC is notorious for not having patience with young players but Wayns shot was erratic and he showed zero patience in the pick and roll. Not that our bigs, other than Kwame, can actually set a real pick. I also expected more full court pressure from him in limited action but rarely saw it. DC has a lot of work to do and I'm not happy that J.Rich continues to start over Wright but I'm providing a pass until I see at least 40 games of Bynum(this and next year)— Facts before ignorance
- The problem is a healthy Bynum and emerging Jrue will only play together for less than 2 months.
- He sees his big contract for next year floating away. So now it's time to think about playing some ball. Lazy waste.— cuyatm
- I am not happy that Wayns got waived. No patience for player development is a sad state of affairs. They could have sent him to the D-League for some court time. He was very impressive in the pre-season and made me (and obviously the Sixers) a fan. I know it was only pre-season but I think he earned his spot. Bummer.— damageboy
- While I am totally encouraged by the latest news, I am puzzled from looking at that picture and wondering if the guy's not way overweight. At the very least, he could have been in the weight room, not bulking up but making himself leaner and cut. He looks flabby.— beegal99
- Making progress?! If he gets the hell out of bed he will be making progress!— vietnamvet
- damage- Sorry to rain on your parade but we've got a bigger need right now. We have no bigs that can play at a cosistently high level so we need to rely on a rotation every game. I think they dropped Wayns not so much because they didn't value him but because they needed roster space for Moultrie. Is Moultrie the answer? Probably not, but if he gets a few minutes and produces at least something positive, it will be a boost. I like Lavoy but he's not a starter yet. Kwame is Kwame. Spencer would much rather shoot 3's or ill advised 18 ft jumpers. I think Doug is simply trying to mix & match down low to find some competence. As to your comment about sending him to the D-League, I'm not going to act like I know how that process works but regardless I agree they should have tried to send him there.— jevans
- cuyatm - How is Bynum lazy when he is following doctors orders at all times? It's just popular to hate on the guy cause he hasn't played yet.
damageboy - they would have had to guarantee his contract for this season and next if they kept Wayns. It wasn't paying off. He was little more than a pre-season wonder who didn't pan out in the regular season.
beegal99 - That's just how the guy looks. Weight has always been an issue for Bynum. Given that he can't really go all-out in his workouts it will take some time for him to get in shape. It's what every NBA player has to deal with during injuries even worse for the bigs like Bynum.
jevans - it didn't matter about making room for Moultrie as they had an extra spot even with Wayns and Moultrie on the roster. What mattered was that there is a league deadline for guaranteeing contracts and the 76ers had to cut Wayns to avoid being forced to pay him for all this season and next. He just wasn't living up to the deal as small as it was. 76ers like to keep one spot open and they had that even with Wayns so it tells me they are on the verge of getting another guard to fill Wayns spot, unless we go for a big.— joecooler2u - The night that Bynam had his last exam he looked for the first time interested in watching a sixers game when the camers cought him off guard. He dosn't strike me as someone who is too laid-back. I think he really wants to run again. I'd like to see him come back slowly, show what he can do and allow the team to gel. If it takes 2 1/2 years good. I got nothing better to do here in Philly during the winter.— Phillyfan00
- Hoping to see the big guy return after the All Star break! Once his other knee swelled up this fall, a post-All Star break return was probably the most realistic scenario. The real question will be if we will have enough time to jell and develop an identity to make a playoff push?
— gopherkiddd - If he comes back last week of February it'll take at least 2 weeks to get into basketball shape and even longer for the team to get used to playing with him that gets you into March. Season ends April 17th.
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.
