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No Andrew Bynum for Sixers until mid December at earliest

Andrew Bynum health update: He’s still not healthy

No Andrew Bynum for Sixers until December, or beyond

The Philadelphia 76ers continue to be cautious in projecting an on-court date for the return of Andrew Bynum, and are carefully listening to the team of medical professionals who are closely monitoring the healing of Bynum’s knee.

In mid-September 2012, Bynum suffered a bone bruise of his right knee. He was examined at that time by Dr. David W. Altchek of New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery, Bynum’s longtime personal doctor who is acting as the lead orthopedist in caring for Andrew’s knee. It was initially communicated to the Sixers that Bynum should refrain from basketball activity for a period of four weeks to allow the knee to heal. His knee was re-evaluated on October 22 by Dr. Altchek, who extended by an additional four weeks to November 19 the time for Andrew to refrain from basketball activity.

Andrew received a fresh MRI and was seen again by Dr. Altchek this past week on Monday, November 5.

At that evaluation, Dr. Altcheck extended Andrew’s return date for a second time by an additional three weeks. However, in what the Sixers believe is an optimistic sign, Dr. Altchek also indicated that Andrew could immediately resume low impact exercise. Low impact exercise for a period of two weeks is to be followed by three weeks of conditioning on an anti-gravity treadmill. The doctors and the team will be closely watching how Bynum’s knee responds during this five week regimen. Upon successful completion, Bynum is expected to be able to resume normal basketball activity.

If the current prognosis holds unchanged, Bynum would be cleared to resume normal basketball activity by approximately December 10. In addition, the team estimates that Bynum in turn will need an additional 1-4 weeks thereafter for conditioning, training and practice before being able to resume game play with significant minutes.

Tony DiLeo, the 76ers General Manager said, “We know that Sixers fans are eager to see Andrew Bynum play and shine in a 76ers uniform. We also know that no one is more eager to see Andrew play for the Sixers than Andrew himself. He fully realizes the key contribution he can make to the team. Hopefully, that day is coming soon.”

Sixers hold Hornets to franchise low 62 points

Jrue Holiday had 14 points and 12 assists, and the Philadelphia 76ers held New Orleans to its lowest point total ever in a 77-62 victory over the Hornets on Wednesday night.

Evan Turner also scored 14, and Thaddeus Young and Lavoy Allen each added 12 points for the Sixers, who dominated the second half defensively. The Hornets committed 14 of their 24 turnovers after halftime and scored only 25 points during the final two quarters. Young also grabbed 10 rebounds.

Al-Farouq Aminu was the only Hornets player to score in double figures with 10 points to go with a career-high 16 rebounds. Ryan Anderson grabbed 10 rebounds and 7-foot reserve Jason Smith blocked five shots.

The Hornets, who lost for the first time in three games, played without first-round draft choices Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers. Davis was not cleared to return from a recent concussion and Rivers had a sprained finger on his left hand.

— Reported by Brett Martel of the Associated Press

InsideHoops.com notes: This game was an ugly brickfest… Hornets guard Eric Gordon also remains out… This game was a mess… Philly enjoyed a balanced scoring effort… This game was a disaster.

Jason Richardson suffers sprained ankle

Doug Collins often has bemoaned the presence of photographers along the baseline, and on Sunday, when he lost shooting guard Jason Richardson to a sprained left ankle in the first quarter against the New York Knicks, the 76ers coach had yet another reason to complain.

However, it was Richardson, not Collins, who did the talking.

“They really don’t belong down there – you see what happens,” said Richardson, who suffered the sprain when he stepped on a cameraman’s foot at Madison Square Garden. “It creates all kinds of problems for players. There’s got to be a better way.”

Richardson was hurt less than two minutes into the game with the Sixers trailing, 5-2. X-rays of his ankle found no broken bones, but he left the arena with his foot in a walking boot.

— Reported by John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers sign guard Jrue Holiday to contract extension

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today they have come to terms with guard Jrue Holiday on a multi-year contract extension. The deal is reportedly worth $41 million over four years.

“Jrue is both an outstanding player and an important part of our future,” said Sixers Managing Owner Josh Harris. “We are very excited to keep a player of Jrue’s caliber in Philadelphia and truly look forward to further building the 76ers legacy around his leadership.”

“I’m ecstatic to continue playing in Philadelphia,“ Holiday said. “I’m going to keep putting in the work and pushing myself every day in order to bring a championship to the city and our fans.”

In 220 career games leading into this season, Holiday has posted averages of 11.9 points, 5.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 31.2 minutes per game.

During the 2011-12 season, Holiday scored 20 or more points 10 times, including a career-high 30 points at Chicago on March 17. He scored 19 points in the third quarter at Cleveland on April 18, the most by any Sixers player in a quarter during the 2011-12 season.

Holiday, 6’4”, 205, has appeared in 18 post-season games for the Sixers, averaging 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists in 37.9 minutes per game.

The Sixers drafted Holiday with the 17th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Holiday was rated the No. 1 point guard and the No. 2 overall prospect in the High School Class of 2008 by Rivals.com and named the 2008 Gatorade National Player of the Year and Parade Magazine First Team All-America.

Sixers center Andrew Bynum still out recovering

As previously announced, new Philadelphia 76ers center Andrew Bynum has a bone bruise of the right knee.

While Andrew and the 76ers are both eager for him to resume game play as soon as possible, given the long regular season and playoffs, the team intends to act with caution as to the date of his return. Andrew has already commenced low impact conditioning, and will be re-evaluated by medical personnel on a continuous basis.

Tony DiLeo, the 76ers General Manager said, “With the team’s intriguing play in the pre-season leading to a 6-1 pre-season record, we are confident that the 76ers will be an exciting, talented and highly competitive team from day one. When Andrew Bynum rejoins for game play, that will take an already strong team to an even higher level.”

Jason Richardson brings veteran poise to 76ers

The onetime No. 5 overall pick in the 2001 draft, Richardson, acquired from Orlando along with Bynum as part of the four-team deal that also sent Andre Iguodala to Denver and Maurice Harkless, Nik Vucevic, and a protected first-round pick to Orlando, has been a secondary story to Bynum and his aching knees.

This, however, does not bother Richardson one bit.

“He can have all of that attention because I’ve had it before,” said Richardson, who along with Michael Jordan is one of just two players to win the NBA slam-dunk championship in back-to-back years. “I’ve been in the position being that guy, the floor leader and all of that stuff like that. That doesn’t bother me at all. I’m a veteran, and all I care about is winning games.”

— Reported by John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer

Sixers exercise 4th-year option on Evan Turner

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they exercised the fourth-year option on swingman Evan Turner.

Turner (6-7, 220) was originally the second overall pick by the Sixers in the 2010 NBA draft. As a junior at Ohio State, he became the first Division I player to average at least 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in a single season since Oscar Robertson did so in back-to-back seasons in 1958-59 and 1959-60.

In 143 career games with 34 starts for the Sixers, Turner has averaged 8.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists. As a starter last season, he averaged 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Turner led all NBA guards in total rebounds in 2011-12.

Andrew Bynum ailing, unable to practice with 76ers

On Monday, Bynum received a previously scheduled injection of Synvisc-One in both knees. It is a natural substance that lubricates and cushions the joints and is believed to provide up to six months of protection. It is not related to the platelet therapy. Bynum also plans to get another injection at the all-star break.

Bynum agreed with the team that he shouldn’t return until the pain is gone.

“The doctors and team are all cautious,” Bynum said. “We want to avoid any type of setback. I will be evaluated and am being reevaluated, and I will be all right.”

Bynum said his right knee doesn’t hurt when he walks, but it does when he takes part in stressful activity. Still, he is confident his knee will eventually be pain-free.

— Reported by Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer

Andrew Bynum still out with right knee pain

Philadelphia 76ers center Andrew Bynum remains sidelined with right knee pain and is a long shot to play in the Oct. 31 opener.

Bynum will continue to be held out of all basketball activity as he recovers from a bone bruise suffered during an offseason workout. The Sixers had pegged Wednesday as his potential return date. Instead, Bynum was on the sidelines while the rest of the Sixers practiced.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Maalik Wayns playing well for 76ers in preseason

Clearly the biggest surprise of the preseason, the Roman Catholic and Villanova product has impressed with his speed and ability to push the ball up the floor with the Sixers’ second unit. In Wednesday’s victory over the Cavaliers, Wayns scored a team-high 19 points, with three three-pointers and four assists.

The downside: five turnovers.

Nevertheless, when Wayns came into the game on Wednesday night, it changed everything, said Collins.

— Reported by John Finger of CSN Philly