Weekly Review: Andrew Bynum, End of Road Trip, and Roster Moves

Jan 5, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Maalik Wayns (18) shoots during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT

The Sixers have finally concluded their 8 game road trip. It was pretty bad, especially their last 3 games where they lost by more than 50 points total. Awesome. At the end of their trip, they made some minor changes to the roster which actually could signal a larger change. So we’ll talk about that here too.

The Sixers started last week off strong with a big win on the road vs the Lakers. The Sixers’ big men actually played like big men and shut down the twin towers of Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol. And then the next night, they didn’t carry any of that intensity vs the not as good Phoenix Suns and lost. It pretty much cancelled the win over the Lakers because the Suns game was suppose to be a win on paper while the Lakers game was a loss. Pulling off upsets while winning games you’re suppose to win is always a good sign for a good team.

Sixers are not a good team.

40 points.

That’s how much I figured the Sixers would lose combined vs the Spurs and Thunder.

Sixers then went to OKC and lost by 24. But they improved and lost by only 23 the next night. Progress! But, in all seriousness, you could tell that the team was ready to go home. They were tired. They looked like they were mentally and physically checked out. Even energy guys like Thad Young was looking a little sluggish. I always feel bad for the team when they have to take this trip. Most trips are 4-6 games on the road in a row. This one was 8 and I don’t remember the last time that has happen.

Maalik Wayns played vs the Spurs but the next day he was released. Sixers parted way with him and it would seem that maybe now the Sixers are making room to sign or trade for another player. That player has to be a PG. A backup PG. When the Sixers signed Royal Ivey, I was okay with the signing because I has assumed that a replacement was on the way. And Ivey hasn’t been cutting it.

You can see on the court that when Jrue is on the bench, there’s nobody out there that can initiate the offense. We need a backup PG that does backup PG things: initiate the offense, decent scorer and decent defender. No, we don’t need a star coming off the bench. Jrue’s our star. But, for the 10-15 minutes he’s on the bench, we need somebody that can carry the team’s offensive flow.

Also, the Sixers have pulled back Arnett Moultrie from the D-League. Now here’s a big man that the Sixers pretty much traded their first round pick for. My suggestion is to play him. It’s not like the Sixers’ other big men are lighting things up. Give the kid playing time. The worst thing we do is miss the playoffs and keep our pick. Okay maybe that’s not so bad. Make the playoffs and have no pick and who knows about Bynum.

Speaking of Bynum…

Today an update was given that Bynum doesn’t plan on seeing his doctor unless he has a setback. Also, he’s almost ready to start running and could be cleared for basketball activities soon. It’s looking like a month. Even if the Sixers get him back for the season, it’s not like the team will be vaulted into what we all expected them to be when they first got Bynum. You still have the team gelling which is unpredictable, and it’s not like Bynum’s playing heavy minutes either.

Here’s a video of him giving his own update.

Only positive on bringing him back is to see if he can live up to a max contract. I really don’t agree with rushing him back either. No sense is damaging him for what is turning into another first round exit, maybe second round. Plus, if he gets worse then you’re screwed out a big man altogether. It’s a tough one for ownership but I’m leaning towards keeping him. Take the risk.

I just don’t want to give that max contract…