I feel pain walking around, so it’d be silly to go out and start playing basketball right away (once cleared) because it’s just going to get worse,” Bynum said, noting that the swelling in his right knee is gone. “If this was the Finals and we have a chance to win, I’d be able to play. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? But why risk anything when you have time to come back and be 100 percent?…It’s arthritis in the knees and the cartilage is missing.  It’s not going to regrow itself.”

-Andrew Bynum

One must wonder if Andrew Bynum is ever going to play another NBA game.  After Bynum re-injured his knee bowling, the real question became:  ”How can Bynum ever withstand the rigors of twisting, bending and flexing his knee in an NBA game if he can’t even execute a simple 7/10 split on a bowling alley?”

As funny as that may sound, there’s only a macabre humor in it.  Bynum was at one point the second best center in the NBA.  Some might say he still is.  But it’s hard to give him the nod over other young centers like Greg Monroe, DeMarcus Cousins, Marc Gasol, Nikola Pekovic, DeAndre Jordan…and so on runs the list…when he’s not able to play basketball.

The 76ers have held their own without Bynum, which is almost more depressing:  How much better would the team be with Andrew Bynum manning the paint?

There’s something to be said for a team going 12-9 without their best player.  But is Bynum even the Sixers best player?  Can he return to be at the level he was, which would make him their best player?

Because as it stands, Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner are the future of the Sixers.  And mostly because they are on the court.

…At least for the meantime, Bynum has went retro, and I mean 1870s retro, with his hairstyle.  It harkens back to the days of Frederick Douglass, and if Bynum can’t play basketball at least he can entertain us with his unique hairdos.

Nov 4, 2012; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Andrew Bynum (33) looks on against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-US PRESSWIRE

There’s a lot of things NBA players do during their free time.  Some play video games.  Others watch themselves perform in video clips.  Others hunt.  You get the idea.

Some bowl.

Andrew Bynum fits this latter category, and could he make any worse decision than to participate in a sport that puts awkward twists and turns to the knees and ankles?

Monta Ellis got injured riding a moped, so that ranks a little worse in the realms of things you shouldn’t do while getting paid millions to play basketball.

That doesn’t make Bynum’s choice to bowl any more excusable.

But hey, if Bynum wants to roll the dice on his NBA career to pick up a few strikes and spares, that’s all the better for the struggling Celtics.  Philadelphia has been holding their weight without Bynum, which only indicates that with him healthy they would be a huge threat to the C’s and indeed to the rest of the Eastern Conference.

Since Darko Milicic is now gone for the season, the holes in the Celtics’ interior defense are only going to be more glaring.  Not that we really ever got to see what the C’s could be with Darko on the court.

The fact of the matter is, that removing the second best center in the league from a division rival can only help.  It might seem wrong for Celtics fans to be pleased by an injury, because shadenfraude is an ugly feature in the human psyche, but a sigh of relief can be released knowing that the Sixers have gone from being very dangerous to just another team in the east.

I had a little bit of a setback. Just working through some issues with the right knee I kind of have a mirror thing going on with the left knee. I don’t know what’s going on. The doctors are saying it’s a weakened cartilage state so we kind of wait, I guess. We can’t do anything. I just have to wait for the cartilage to get strong

-Andrew Bynum

So yes, Andrew, you had a little bit of a setback, but it really begs the question:  If your knees aren’t anywhere close to being healthy enough to bowl on, how long will it be before they can handle the rigors of NBA action?

February 24, 2012; Orlando FL, USA; Western Conference center Andrew Bynum of the Los Angeles Lakers (17) during the West all-stars press conference at the Hilton Orlando. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

There’s been a lot of hype in the City of Brotherly Love since Andrew Bynum was acquired at the slight loss of Andre Iguodala and Nikola Vucevic (and a first round pick).   Analysts’ chic picks have included the Sixers, a team that they feel has the hopes of being a Cinderella of sorts, of the NBA Playoffs.

With a young and talented core, and a possible pick and roll tandem of Jrue Holiday and Andrew Bynum, the Sixers have a lot of the major pieces in place, and a host of talented role players, that includes their other heist of the Dwight Howard-deal, Jason Richardson.  Richardson and shooter Nick Young will provide some lift from behind the arc for a team that is in need of more three point shooting.

Evan Turner must continue to develop and become the player that many thought he would be coming out of Ohio State.  The early comparisons to Brandon Roy might have been a bit much, but Turner must become consistent and be the kind of player the Sixers can go to when the offense gets stagnant.  He needs to create when they ask him to and realize his ball handling skills can result in easier looks for  himself and his teammates.  If Turner becomes a fringe All-Star type or better, the other players around him will also raise their games.  Thaddeus Young will benefit; Lavoy Allen will; and so on runs the gambit of players the Sixers can utilize off their bench.

Losing leading scorer Lou Williams would seem like a blow, and it is, but it’s lessened by the fact they now have Bynum.

As good as that sounds, do the Celtics have a chance?

POINT GUARD:

Rajon Rondo / Keyon Dooling vs. Jrue Holiday / Royal Ivey / Maalik Wayns

May 26, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers point guard Jrue Holiday (11) and small forward Andre Iguodala (9) react against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in game seven of the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

Rondo is a top-five NBA point guard and while Holiday is a top 20 point guard, he just can’t matchup with Rondo.  Holiday has the speed, but Rondo is even more blindingly fast and he’s only getting better with his impressive array of ball fakes.

Dooling is a better backup than either Ivey or Wayns, and that’s not even to mention the fact that Avery Bradley and Dionte Christmas could be in the mix at the point, as well.  The Celtics just have too much talent in the back court for the 76ers, and it shows up at the point guard position first.

Advantage:  Celtics

SHOOTING GUARD:

Avery Bradley / Courtney Lee / Jason Terry vs. Jason Richardson / Nick Young

Again, the C’s just have one of the best backcourt rotations in the entire league.  With all due respect to an aged Richardson and jack-happy Nick Young, Bradley and either of Lee or Terry would be better than the 76ers duo.  With all three aboard, it’s not even close.  Lee is going to be a defensive demon in Doc Rivers’ system, and he hits a lot of threes at a high percentage.

Terry will do his usual thing; and Bradley is being touted as one of the best young shooting guards in the league.

Advantage:  Celtics

SMALL FORWARD:

Paul Pierce / Jeff Green / Kris Joseph vs. Evan Turner / Thaddeus Young / Dorell Wright

At first glance, one sees Pierce and concludes that he is better than Turner, and accordingly the C’s have an advantage at SF.  But it’s not that easy.

May 26, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young (21) shoots against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in game seven of the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

Thaddeus Young has sixth man of the year potential and Dorell Wright is a deadly three point shooter coming off a monster year two seasons ago in Golden State (he disappointed last year).  Turner in his own right is a developing stud in the making and is now aggressive enough to truly advance at a more rapid pace.

Of course, that is not to negate how truly good Pierce can be, nor the impact Jeff Green will make now that he is fully healthy and focused on returning to form.  Even Kris Joseph will contribute some bench scoring.

All things considered though, the youth and talent exhibited by a three forward combo in Philly may be a little too much.

Advantage: Sixers

POWER FORWARD:

Brandon Bass / Jared Sullinger / Chris Wilcox vs. Spencer Hawes / Lavoy Allen / Arnett Moultrie

Bass is coming off one of the best stretches of games in his life in the NBA Playoffs.  He D-ed up LeBron James, and though he struggled with the task (who wouldn’t?), he showed a fearless demeanor towards attempting it, and Rivers had immense confidence in Bass to entrust him with those duties to begin with.  He’s been worth every bit of Glen Davis, and has to be a featured piece in what the Celtics do post-Garnett era.

Sullinger is going to have a lot of guile and moves that will frustrate Lavoy Allen in the second unit, and Wilcox’s experience will pose problems for the rookie Moultrie.

All in all, Boston gives the Sixers some real problems here.

Advantage:  Celtics

CENTER:

Kevin Garnett / Fab Melo / Jason Collins vs. Andrew Bynum / Kwame Brown

Feb 06, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers Andrew Bynum (17) shoots a jump shot during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Lakers 95-90. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

There was a point in Garnett’s career that I would say he has a definitive advantage over every guy in the league at his position.  Those days, however, are now long passed.

Brown is a joke, but Bynum is legitimately and easily the second best center in the NBA. Garnett is an All-First Team NBA defender, but ultimately, Bynum should give KG some real problems.  First off, he’s a little taller, and much bigger.  He’s accustomed to getting the ball on the block and being able to make aggressive spin moves.  It could mean foul trouble for Garnett.

There is no one to counter Bynum with on the bench, and the C’s really can’t afford to let KG get in foul trouble.  The Sixers are going to go to Bynum early and often, and wear away at the Celtics interior, as Bynum will cause Bass and Sully to pick up more fouls as well.

Advantage:  Sixers

COACHING:

 Doc Rivers vs. Doug Collins

Ultimately, here you are talking about two very elite coaches.  Collins, however, has one thing Doc doesn’t have:  mass experience.  Collins has had the pleasure of coaching Michael Jordan, and been an analyst who delivered top tier analysis.  His knowledge is indisputable.

Rivers is no slouch, though.  He took a Magic team that was lottery fodder and had them finish .500, almost reaching the playoffs in an especially top heavy year in the Eastern Conference.  He received no credit for molding Ben Wallace, before leaving for much more emerald green pastures in Boston.  Since that time, he has won a championship (2008) and established himself as one of the best defensive coaches and most relatable coach for players in the league.

May 26, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doug Collins reacts on the side line during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in game seven of the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

I’m not sure that either trumps the other here, and I think Collins gets a slight edge only because of experience.

 Advantage:    Sixers, by a fraction of a hair

Outlook

This series all really comes down to how much of an advantage one thinks the Sixers have at center.  Can Garnett keep Bynum in check?

In the backcourt, the C’s have the Sixers checkmated, and the Sixers only have a small advantage at small forward, with a huge disadvantage at power forward.

Ultimately, the Sixers have two advantages over the Celtics, but the backcourt issue is huge.  Can the Sixers find any way to neutralize Rondo when he is now surrounded by shooters like Bradley, Terry, and Lee?  All three players shoot well above average from three point range, and Rondo’s penetration is going to result in a lot of those looks.

Overall, I think the C’s win this series…But…

Prediction:

It goes 7 games.  Celtics 4 games to 3 over Phily.