Andrew Bynum dunking, still plans return soon after All-Star break

The dynamic around Andrew Bynum’s return to the 76ers has changed. Before it was something to watch as Philly brass thought about what kind of contract to offer him this summer.

But with the injury to Rajon Rondo and the Sixers just 2.5 games back heading into Monday night, a playoff spot seems possible again. Bynum’s return could be a big part of that.

So how’s it going? He’s dunking, he told CSNPhilly.com.

“I still haven’t done slides yet, but I dunked yesterday. That’s good. I can still do that,” Bynum said.

Before you say “so what, a 7’1” guy with long arms can dunk” let me remind you that when he lands it’s 300 pounds on his surgically repaired knee. It’s not nothing.

As for the timeline, he said his return remains likely for right after the All-Star break.

“I’m a little ahead, I think,” Bynum said. “Before I started getting a little better I had a lot of pain. The pain is subsiding a bit [after workouts].”

When he comes back it will not be 30 minutes a night at full speed at first, but if he can help lift a struggling offense and shore up the defense a little, suddenly Philly’s outlook is a whole lot different.