The Philadelphia 76ers franchise must be snake-bitten when it comes to talented yet often injured big men.
In year’s past, it’s been injuries that have prematurely shortened the careers of former Sixers bigs Jeff Ruland, Matt Geiger, Chris Webber, Elton Brand, and now Andrew Bynum.
In the less than spectacular Eastern Conference currently dominated by the frontcourt challenged Miami Heat, the Sixers went for it, becoming the surprise 3rd team that helped the LA Lakers finally acquire Dwight Howard from Orlando this Summer, while netting the 1 time All Star Bynum in return.
But, as we have seen the other two key players Howard and Iguodala in the blockbuster trade in action for their new respective teams, Bynum has yet to lace them up for a single contest this season.
After playing in nearly every game in the strike shortened 2011-2012 season, Bynum has somehow sustained bone bruises in both left and right knees without even practicing with his new teammates.
His balky knees and their seemingly never ending rehab has pushed his debut date back from initially October, then December 10th, to mid January, and now is out indefinitely because of some freak bowling accident.
It’s definitely not good when your new supposed franchise player is making more news for his enormous hairstyles, his horrific 3 point shooting in camp, and what costume he’s wearing for Halloween.
With rumors now swirling that Bynum’s knee injuries may be more serious than originally made known and Bynum now possibly missing the entire season, the 76ers must make the difficult decision of whether to resign the dominating big man or let him walk after the season, using his more than $16 million on a sub-par 2013 free agent class.
Judging by the newest trade rumors, the 76ers may at least be hedging their bets by dipping their toes in the trade waters to see what’s biting. Apparently the Utah Jazz and Al Jefferson are nibbling as the two star big man names have come up in a potential trade in the final years of their contracts.
While Bynum is a few years younger, both have had some injury concerns and their salaries almost match up (Bynum – $16.4, Jefferson – $15). Couple that with the fact that statistically their career numbers are almost identical. Of course, Bynum does have the edge in hardware, winning two rings with the Lakers.
Would you trade Bynum for Jefferson?
Around The Horn On Bynum’s Bowling Injury:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
