Skip to content
Sixers
Link copied to clipboard

Inside the Sixers: For 76ers, no Andrew Bynum, no hope

Most fans of the 76ers never imagined that the 2012-13 edition of this team would be playing out a meaningless string of games in the final week of the season, but that's exactly what Wednesday's 124-101 loss to the Atlanta Hawks and the remaining four games have become.

The news is half good on 76ers center Andrew Bynum's sore knees, which have kept him from playing this season. (Michael Perez/AP file photo)
The news is half good on 76ers center Andrew Bynum's sore knees, which have kept him from playing this season. (Michael Perez/AP file photo)Read more

Most fans of the 76ers never imagined that the 2012-13 edition of this team would be playing out a meaningless string of games in the final week of the season, but that's exactly what Wednesday's 124-101 loss to the Atlanta Hawks and the remaining four games have become.

The expectations of a potentially deep playoff run that ignited when the team traded for Andrew Bynum have been muted now, and all that remains is a summer of uncertainty and questions about the direction and future of the franchise that could see its second 50-game loser in the last 15 seasons.

While the Sixers still have the best chance of signing Bynum, who never played a game this season, the unrestricted free agent may never be healthy enough again to contribute. If he isn't, this will wind up as the most costly "cost of doing business" gaffe in the history of the franchise, perhaps even supplanting the debacle that was the Jeff Ruland deal.

According to sources with knowledge of the situation, there is an emerging power struggle between coach Doug Collins and ownership. Collins, who has one year left on his contract, might have to coach next season as a lame duck, without a contract extension. Sources have indicated that ownership may be trying to force Collins to resign, although he is due to make $4.5 million next season.

This season of expectations has been a complete disaster.

None of the free-agent acquisitions - from Dorell Wright to Nick Young to Kwame Brown - have panned out. Brown is emblematic of all that has gone awry. Penciled in as the team's starting center by Collins before the team traded for Bynum, Brown did not play for the 49th time this season Wednesday against Atlanta. He has a player option for more than $3 million next season.

The product on the floor has been miserable. The Sixers have never won more than three games in a row this season, at one point losing 15 in a row on the road. They went into their game against the Hawks tied with Chicago for the worst offense in the league.

They have roughly $46 million committed to salaries among eight players for next season. If the salary cap rises from $58 million this summer, the Sixers could have decent money to spend if they don't re-sign Bynum. However, there are other teams who will have much more cash to spend.

When the new ownership purchased the team before the 2011-12 season, it took over a franchise that averaged just 14,751 fans per game, 25th in the league. Last season that number jumped to 17,502 (14th overall), the largest jump in the league, but attendance has cooled this season: The Sixers rank 17th in the NBA.

The Sixers already have announced that they will raise the price of some season tickets, but there is no reason to believe that the team will be any better.

For the Sixers, the dog days of summer are already here.

Hawks have their way

The Hawks, still trying to improve their playoff position, easily handled the 76ers as Josh Smith scored 28 points. Thaddeus Young scored 22 of his team-high 28 points in the first half. Jrue Holiday had just one assist for the second game in a row.