Andrew Bynum to be rested for three weeks, will miss season opener for Philadelphia 76ers – NBA News
The Philadelphia 76ers fans will have to wait a bit longer to see newly acquired All Star centre Andrew Bynum play for the franchise, as the team has decided to bench him for three weeks to allow him to fully recover from knee
issues.
The Sixers announced on Monday, a day before training camp starts, that Bynum would be rested for the next three weeks so that he is fully recovered from the knee issues that have been nagging him lately.
Bynum underwent the same Orthokine treatment that his former team mate Kobe Bryant underwent in Germeny to rejuvenate his knees. The treatment involves injecting plasma rich platelets into the arthritis affected areas to stimulate
healing. Bynum was earlier cleared for training camp but he felt some discomfort late last week and after meeting with doctors, the team decided to be safe with their future franchise player and give him time to fully heal his knees.
"I'm going to do everything in my power to get back. I feel a lot better. The Orthokine is definitely working,” said Bynum.
Bynum took the injections in the third week of September, as doctors recommended him to undergo the procedure as close to the regular season as possible for maximum effectiveness. The three week benching means that Bynum will return
a week after the Sixers open their regular season on October 31st.
"At this point, I just need to go out and work on my craft. I should still be able to do that, even with being shut down,” said Bynum.
The Sixers were looking forward to having Bynum on the court when they open their season, but are confident that they will be alright till the time he returns. Bynum comes to Philadelphia with the expectation of rising to become
a leader of the team and lead them deep into the playoffs.
Sixers Coach Doug Collins is also confident in Bynum’s abilities and says that he is “incredibly down” about not being able to play in the season opener.
"He is so champing at the bit to come in here and live up to all the expectations that have been placed on his shoulders. He knows what's at stake,” said Collins.
Bynum is coming off the best season of his seven year NBA career, averaging 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds for the Lakers. Drafted in 2005, he has grown into one of the best centres in the game, and played in his first All Star
game this past season. Having won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers already, Bynum is now hoping to take the next step in his career and become the leader that the Sixers have been desperately looking for, helping them win their first NBA title
since 1983 in the process.
Tags: