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Sixers Notes: Sixers' Andrew Bynum problems reminiscent of Orlando's with Grant Hill

Sixers Jrue Holiday drives between Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul PIerce. (Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)

GALLERY: Sixers Jrue Holiday drives between Celtics Kevin Garnett…

By John N. Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: March 07, 2013

When Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers was the coach in Orlando, the Magic and the Detroit Pistons completed a sign-and-trade deal that sent Grant Hill to the Magic for Ben Wallace and Chucky Atkins in August 2000.

The Magic planned on pairing Hill, a star, with the emerging Tracy McGrady. But a severe ankle injury that ultimately required surgery limited Hill to just 47 games in his first three seasons in Orlando.

Rivers was fired 11 games into the 2002-03 season. On Tuesday before the Celtics played the 76ers, Rivers recalled Hill's struggles as being similar to those the Sixers are going through with injured center Andrew Bynum.

"It's a very similar situation," Rivers said. "It's tough because [reporters] see him practicing every day. With Grant they actually saw him play some games.

"But each game it was, 'He's going to play' and then he didn't," Rivers added. "Then it was this week and then the next week. . . . We were always caught in limbo."

Rivers said that coach Doug Collins is in a tougher situation because the Magic played a small lineup before Hill and planned on remaining the same with him.

"With Andrew, you are going to change the way you are going to play, so that's just hard," Rivers said. "It's hard for everyone, but we endured and we got through it. But it was no fun."

Nick Young still out

Guard Nick Young missed his third game in a row with a sprained left ankle. The Sixers were not sure whether Young would make the three-game trip that begins Wednesday in Atlanta.

"We'll make a determination," Collins said, "and if he's not improved, I don't know if he will go."

Collins said the Sixers would continue with Royal Ivey in the starting lineup.