When the Sixers traded away Andre Iguodala in a deal that brought them All-Star center Andrew Bynum, they envisioned an improved team anchored by a big man that would be a foundation in Philadelphia for seasons to come.
The future may still be a bright one for Bynum there, but he has yet to make his debut for the Sixers this season due to suffering a bone bruise in a workout before training camp even began. And the most troubling part for the team’s fans -- in addition to the fact that there’s no timetable for Bynum to return -- is the fact that the team has been reluctant to give updates on their big man’s progress.
The local media has been trying, but they’ve continually been shut down by the organization when asking about Bynum. And Bob Cooney of Philly.com is wondering why:If ownership wanted pats on the back - and it deserved them - when acquiring Bynum, it at least should be up front enough to answer the questions fans want answered about his injury. The only way fans get those answers, of course, is through the media. So what if he is slow recovering from his injury? What’s wrong with saying so? What is wrong with telling the fans the truth?
Getting Bynum was a risk; everyone knew that when it happened. But it is only a 1-year contract, and if it all works out, good for them. If it doesn’t and Bynum can’t play much this season and ultimately moves on, well, so be it. But what’s wrong with being honest?
A couple things here.
It’s likely that the organization doesn’t have anything positive to put out on Bynum at this point -- not from a standpoint of him progressing, having increased workouts, or getting closer to practicing in game-like situations. If the team was seeing even a hint of something positive, it would be sure to get that information to its fans so they would keep hope alive, and root for the team to keep it together until they can get Bynum back, which hopefully would be relatively soon.
Now, if the news isn’t so great?
The decision not to inform the public of Bynum being slow to recover might be purposeful, if the organization doesn’t want its fans to sour on him before he even takes the floor, or for them to bail on the team for making a trade that might not improve things, and could ultimately turn out to be a move in the wrong direction.
At some point, though, fans are going to want answers. It’s understandable that head coach Doug Collins would want nothing to do with speaking about the matter, but the organization should have nothing to hide where Bynum’s injury status is concerened -- whether he’s likely to see the court anytime soon or not.
