Sixers sideline Bynum till he's pain free

Posted: October 31, 2012

The 76ers officially ruled out Andrew Bynum's participation in Wednesday's home opener against Denver during Tuesday night's practice at the Wells Fargo Center, and they have no timetable for his return.

"While Andrew and the 76ers are both eager for him to resume game play as soon as possible, given the long regular season and the playoffs, the team intends to act with caution as to the date of his return," the team said in a statement.

The Sixers will not allow Bynum to practice until his knees are completely pain-free. Acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-team trade in August, Bynum has not practiced with the Sixers because of a bone bruise to his right knee.

"I think he's feeling a lot better, his spirits are good, so that's all positive stuff," Sixers coach Doug Collins said.

With Bynum out, Lavoy Allen will start at center.

The Sixers expect to have backup center Kwame Brown (strained calf) available.

Denver forward Andre Iguodala was one of three players the Sixers traded in the Bynum deal. An all-star last season, Iguodala was never really embraced by Sixers fans in eight seasons here.

Jrue Holiday said he did not know what kind of reception Iguodala would receive.

"The crowd, I'm kind of leaning toward the booing instead of the cheering," Holiday said. "But hopefully he'll get some cheering in there."

Said Collins: "The fans should give him a great welcome back. He put eight years in here and I think he ended on a great note."

Guest speaker. Eagles long snapper Jon Dorenbos addressed the Sixers on Tuesday. Dorenbos grew up in a foster home after his father was convicted of murdering his wife when Dorenbos was just 12. "He was an amazing speaker," Collins said. "It's great to have them hear from a peer about what this man has been through in his life and some of the things he did to help him cope."


 

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