June 11, 2016
Many Sixers fans have lamented the painful last three years of “The Process,” and they’re certainly not wrong that slogging through 10 to 19 win seasons takes a toll on everyone involved. But for my money, the 2012-13 season sits alone atop the fictional Sixers Fans Misery Index.
At least Sam Hinkie was wheeling and dealing for future assets and fans could count on a top draft pick at the end of each year, right? There wasn’t any future planning going on in 2012-13.
In August 2012, deliriously happy Sixers fans packed the Constitution Center for what is, in retrospect, one of the funniest press conferences you will ever see. An all-star in 2012 and two-time champ with the Lakers, Bynum, who was acquired in a trade that sent Andre Iguodala and Nik Vucevic elsewhere, was viewed as a savior of sorts in Philly:
(And while the trade turned out to be a complete disaster from the Sixers’ standpoint, part of me still applauds the rationale behind the move. The Iguodala-Holiday-Young core wasn’t winning anything of note, and Bynum represented a chance at a legitimate star.)
Bynum of course never played a game in a Sixers uniform. He did go bowling, though, if I remember correctly. Bynum suited up in Cleveland the year after, but injuries forced him to wash out of the league by 2014. Still only 28 years old, Bynum was back at The Q last night, enjoying Game 4 of the NBA Finals… with yellow hair and a cold beer in hand:
Andrew Bynum's 28 years old, averaged 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds in 2011-12 and was an All-Star that same season. pic.twitter.com/zNHG0SDQwN
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) June 11, 2016
Andrew Bynum is winning life. pic.twitter.com/62B5e2vy64
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) June 11, 2016
Life comes at you fast.
Why is Andrew Bynum at Game 4? He said he's been driving cross country and stopped off in Cleveland for the game. https://t.co/hVPsLNcYPp
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 11, 2016
He will always be disliked in Philly, because that’s the way things go. Still, remember that Bynum is a guy watching athletes his age and older that he used to be better than. It’s kind of cool that he still has no problem enjoying himself as a paying customer at a finals game.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
