The Andrew Bynum Issue
Added on Feb 12, 2013 by Scott in
No Comments
Searching for action pics of Andrew Bynum wearing a Sixers uniform is hard. That’s because there are no action photos of Bynum dressed in a Sixers uniform. That’s because he hasn’t sniffed the floor since being traded from Los Angeles in August 2012. Instead, he can be seen sporting a Gary Coleman Afro and a collection of stylish suit jackets. He was supposed to make his Philly debut this month, but chronic knee pain has flared up… again.
The good news is the left knee pain he experienced in recent workouts hasn’t produced any swelling. The bad news is he’s still feeling discomfort and has yet to do anything except run around and shoot by himself. He hasn’t practiced with his teammates or engaged in any physical contact. In other words, he’s still nowhere near to playing in an actual NBA game.
Thus far, the mega trade that shipped Bynum to the Sixers, Dwight Howard to the Lakers and Andre Iguodala to Denver has been a bust. Iggy has been okay for an improved Nuggets team, but Howard is struggling to adapt to the Lakers offensive scheme and is also dealing with nagging injuries.
The Sixers obviously took a calculated risk in acquiring a 25-year-old center with arthritic knees. Expecting him to make a miraculous recovery at this point seems like a pipe dream. The plan was to pair him with rising star point guard Jrue Holiday and form a dangerous inside-outside combo. Sounds great, in theory.
As Bynum’s return timetable keeps getting pushed back, the Sixers cling to slim playoff hopes. It’s safe to assume that he won’t play at all this season, and his long-term future is one giant question mark. If he doesn’t see the court and displays no progress, it’s highly unlikely the Sixers will offer an extension. Doing so would make zero sense financially.
However, allowing him to walk (limp) with no compensation is also risky. In addition to Iguodala, the trade cost the roster a pair of first-round players and a future first-round pick. That’s a hefty bounty for someone who might not play a single minute for the franchise.
On the other hand, not committing huge dollars to Bynum would free them up to pursue healthier front court options next summer. Needless to say, the Sixers have a tough decision to make. Or maybe it’s not so tough after all.
