Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE
The Lakers knew they were getting damaged goods when Mitch Kupchak lined up the pieces to propel Dwight Howard from Orlando to Los Angeles. Same goes for the 76ers when they inherited the talented yet immature Andrew Bynum.
As it turns out both Bynum and Howard will keep their respective new fan bases waiting for their highly anticipated debuts.
Howard has only recently begun physical activity as he works his way into playing form having endured season ending back surgery. No timetable is set for Howard’s debut but he looks likely to miss most of the preseason.
Bynum is also going to miss a large chuck of Philly’s preseason as he sits out for three weeks to rest his recently treated knee. Last season saw Baby Bynum remain healthy which equated to his first All-Star appearance. Of those two feats one should be easily duplicated.
There are only a couple of true centers worth mentioning in the Easter Conference. So long as Drew can remain healthy enough to play in more than 60 games he’ll be an All-Star and likely an All-NBA member as well.
But that’s the big if with Bynum. His health has always been the biggest question but his maturity remains the larger concern. Thankfully that’s something we no longer have to concern ourselves with here in Los Angeles. So this post will serve as one of the last times you’ll see Baby Bynum updates on LSL. We’re turning the page and moving on. Just thought you might like to know what you’d be missing were Drew still a Laker.