Silence of Bynum still speaks volumes
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Silence of Bynum still speaks volumes
When Andrew Bynum talks it makes news and when he doesn’t speak, it also finds its way into the headlines.
Bynum was supposed to give a progress report to reporters before Tuesday’s game with the Orlando Magic at the Wells Fargo Center.
With the usual large weekly crowd waiting by his locker, Bynum never appeared.
The Sixers said he would likely speak after Friday's practice. There is no practice tomorrow.
Bynum has been giving these weekly updates for nearly two months on a Monday or Tuesday.
Here is the gist of the news “the left knee hurts, the right knee feels fine and there is progress.”
The Inquirer’s John Mitchell last week reported that Bynum had scrimmaged with the team on Friday, a new development
Coach Doug Collins confirmed that fact and said his center looked like “somebody who hadn’t played in nine months.”
Now everybody is looking forward to get Bynum’s view.
Or are they?
There is a certain amount of Bynum fatigue, but it remains the No. 1 story of interest for those who care about the Sixers eventually being competitive.
What is sad is that a few minutes from Bynum each week has created more interest than the team on the court.
That’s because the fate of the franchise will be determined by his health and his willingness to remain with the Sixers.
Those who say don’t re-sign him, aren’t being realistic. The Sixers gave up Andre Iguodola, Nik Vucevic, the draft rights to Maurice Harkless and a protected first round pick as part of the four-team trade to acquire Bynum. In addition, the Sixers also received Jason Richardson, who is now out for the season after left knee surgery.
Bynum is an unrestricted free agent after the season. If the Sixers don’t re-sign him, they would have given up four valuable pieces, including the draft choice, for extra cap space and Richardson.
What free agent difference maker would sign with the Sixers?
No, the Sixers have to be all-in with Bynum.
That is why the charade of these weekly updates will have to keep going on.
We’ll all be waiting on Friday.
Playing 60/66 games last year, not being able to step on the court this year, the cartilage story, the bone bruise from the up and under move, the 'bowling' bone bruise, the moving timeline, the lack of hearing from a true medical expert directly, letting Bynum call the shots with his doctors, doing the 'Germany' procedure in September when Kobe did his right after the season ended the prior year. None of it makes sense to anyone who has a brain in their head and everyone is sick and tired of it, not to mention those who bought season tickets when they made the trade and hyped it up as if he would be playing from day one.— alwaysphil1- @alwaysphil1...this put everything into perspective. I am a very angry sixers fan because of this transaction and the way this has all played out. I hope you aren't referring to yourself as someone who bought season tickets to see Bynum because if so, they owe you season tickets to the Phils this year to compensate.
— Anything_Philly_is4me - It was a good idea. It didn't work. Let him go. Sign Josh Smith to a max contract. Move Turner to the '2'. Get a good big man with the lottery pick. Move On!!!— tomficara
- Give Josh Smith max contract???? Are you kidding me? Are you a true Philly fan, and you think you would appreciate THAT guy making max dollars for max years? Have you watched THAT guy? Giving THAT guy a max contract would be going back to the Derrick Coleman, Chris Webber, Elton Brand issues that has hamstrung the Sixers for years. No thanks to THAT guy. — hawaiiphillyfan
- Remember when the story was "this is voluntary surgery, not necessary, and routine"... they clearly blew it on this guy.— KingOfPhilly
- the morons who brought bynum here should hold a press conference and explain why they acquired him immediately after that all of them should be fired don't let these incompetent bozo's make another move with this team.— only 9
- On another note, think its time to let Doug Collins go ?— biagio77
- You can bet no news is bad news. It doesn't matter anymore, this team is toast and now it's just a question of if this trade screwed the team for this year or for years to come.— PhillySubsMac
- Does anyone ACTUALLY believe this kids knees are just going to magically heal?
I don't understand Narducci's insistence that the sixers compound their mistake by giving him a new deal.— 19106 - The columnist basically makes the case that they lost the hand and since they lost the hand they need to double the amount they bet on the next hand because they lost the previous hand. Good thing this guy has clearly never gambled a single time in his life or he would be homeless right now.— zonaindie2
- Ummm ... so what exactly is he expected to say that hasn't already been said?? ...
"That Nik Vucevic, he's a pretty good looking young center. Should do well in this league for years to come."
— FishFryFrank - What IS 100% realistic is the view that sees these compliant beatwriters not having the courage to challenge P.T. Bynum, the lies and deceits, the 4 #1 draft picks. Realistic humans call out the cowardice that says after nothing but a medical ponzi scheme, you go ahead and sign the con man for millions.
Realistic that.
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— Quixote II - The commentators who believe the Sixers should bid on Bynum as a free agency remind me of poker player who double down on a bad hands.— nmlawyer
- "What is all the fuss about with Bynum"
Sam Bowie
Bill Walton
Jeff Ruland
Greg Odom
— drhoffman - If we didn't make the trade a lot of fans would be wondering why we chose to stand pat... Vuc probably would be as good because he wouldn't have a fire lit under him due to the trade. Iggy would have been Iggy. Brand woul have been Brand... and the beat goes on. Still a good trade. If Bynam is healthy next year we will all be praising the trade. I'd rather be all in with the possability of being great in 2 years then standing pat and waiting for 10. On a side note, they need to go after some heart, effort, and attitude in the off season. This one's done.— Simma_Down_Now
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.
