When the Philadelphia 76ers traded to get Andrew Bynum, they did not think he would have yet to play a game for the team. Due to an offseason filled with knee injuries, the 25-year old center has yet to contribute. Bynum's initial return date was set for after the All-Star break, but now Bynum is telling the media that his return may take longer than originally anticipated.
Bynum has been dealing with arthritis in both of his knees. According to doctors, he is currently missing cartilage in his left knee, something that does not grow back. Bynum could endure microfracture surgery, but that could put him out of basketball for another year or more. He is continuing to rehab aggressively in hopes of returning to the court, but Bynum told reporters that the pain has not gone away, he is just having to tolerate it and learn to play with it.
"I don't think anyone's more upset than myself. I have the most to lose by not playing and I want to get back. And I could really care less. People are going to support me when I'm doing well and they're going to talk when I'm doing poor and not playing," Bynum said.
Despite the frustrations of rehabbing an injury, Bynum vows to return to the court and play "sometime this year." At the moment, he is saying to be about a week or two away from playing. Bynum is still not practicing with the team so there is no word on what he is able to do at this point. He is working out with team doctors and taking part in drills. He believes playing one-on-one and two-on-two is right around the corner.
Bynum does not want to rush himself back into the lineup, despite how poorly the 76ers are playing this year. Fans are not pleased with the center's inability to get healthy. Bynum said he understands their frustrations and that he wants to win as badly as they do.
