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.”
like I have been saying THIS ENTIRE TIME...right on schedule!!!— johnGiam- when the 6ers got bynum, i rejoiced: finally, a philly sports team was guaranteed to be a winner! then a friend who is on the lakers' inside set me straight. bynum, he said, is a spoiled, sulking, egotistical head case (seems LA replaced one with another) who strongly resents being traded. he predicted bynum would get hurt, then hurt again, might not even suit up the entire year, then jump ship at season's end. meantime, the second string center we gave up in the deal is playing extraordinary basketball. so it appears the 6ers' braintrust perfectly matches a couple of other clubs in our fair town in ability to properly size up talent.— bubba church & granny hamner
- I'm getting soooo excited. time to shut a whole lot of people up is coming real soon. Surprise surprise, games are about to start mattering and here comes Bynum getting in shape, talking about Fresh legs and whatnot.....the bandwagon is pretty empty right now, it will start filling back up with front runners in about a month, see you guys then— johnGiam
- ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Wake me when he's tipping off a GAME.— PHIILY YA DIG?
- i liked the new energy I saw in the sixers who were interviewed today. jrue has this twinkle in his eye everytime you get him to start talking about Bynum..Now that they came home and found AB significantly better, Jrue seemed like he was licking his chops today, and I was pleasantly surprised when Jrue talked about how close him and Bynum are getting. ynum gesnabbad rap for not caring, it was great to hear Jrue talk about how excited bynum was for our win in LA and how bad he wanted to be there...DC even Pointed out the new energy he is seeing in Bynum, and it's pretty easy to see. getting real Pumped!!!!— johnGiam
- When Big Bynum starts playing he is going to make a difference.— Da Fredster
- Bynum comes back Feb 20th, the first game after the All-Star Break (at Minnesota)...Gives him a 30 game schedule, the ploy devised by his agent for this season.— bearsfriend
- Listen closely to what Doug said "We just have to hope and pray that this is going to give us a situation where if he is able to come back there will be enough games for us to fight ourselves into the playoffs.” If Andrew comes back with 30 games to play it may already be too late. Does anyone remember when the Sixers acquired Mutombo during the 2000-2001 season. How smoothly did that team acclimate to adding that post presence? They stumbled their way into the finals and were .500 to close out the season with Deke. Adding Bynum will be an adjustment for all the players as it will completely change the way they play, especially on the offensive end.
Bears: 30 games is sounding about right, but I am hoping for a return by Jan 21 as that stretch of games is crucial to whether or not we will still be in the playoff picture.
On another note, I wonder what is in the works in regards to finding a backup pg? No rumors out there, but Doug did mention that they needed to find a more veteran solution. Minnesota needs a wing player. How about Barea or Ridenour? Bobby Brown from Europe? Any other suggestions?— Mattb - Rev Collins says we all need to hope and pray. Let's bow our heads and pray Bynum comes back to save Dougie's job. Hallelujah
- @Mattb - Will Bynum on Detroit is really underrated and is only getting 16 MPG. Also, Udrih, Aaron Brooks, Devin Harris, and DJ Augustin all seem to be tradeable for the right price since all of them are only getting less than 22 MPG.— Manok
- johnGiam, tell me you're trying to be sarcastic. Like you've been saying the entire time? Aren't you the guy who said Bynum would start the season? Aren't you the guy that said he'd be back around Thanksgiving? Aren't you the guy who after the December press conference said he'd be back in January? You've been wrong all along. If he's just starting the treadmill, the earliest he'll be back is late February. I don't remember you once predicting that. You're a poser and a liar!— PokerBrat
- Bynum's still on the roster?— Bradley85
- I'm with you John.G all the way bro,when games really count!— Memphisdex
- I'm amazed at how many people are still buying into this. The Sixers were bamboozled. Bynum's goal was to use this season to get healthy while getting a big paycheck. He never cared about this team he only cared about next season's big contract. He'll play 20 games just to show GMs he's healthy that won't be enough time for the Sixers to get it together.
Pokerbrat: a poser indeed— Cole_World
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.
