Andrew Bynum is earning nearly $17 million this season and has yet to play in a game for the Philadelphia 76ers because of various knee problems. The 25-year-old center recently suffered a setback in his rehab, and he said on Friday that he might not play at all this season. He and the team reportedly are even considering season-ending knee surgery as a possibility.
Bynum was the centerpiece of a four-team trade in August that also sent Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers. He was welcomed to Philadelphia with a billboard and the hope that he could lead the team to a deep playoff run. Instead, the trade has been a total bust.
76ers fans are frustrated with Bynum and the perception that he doesn’t prioritize returning to the team. His ever-changing hairstyles, injury sustained while bowling, and comments Friday that he doesn’t want to play in pain have incensed Sixers fans. Even the city’s district attorney is taking shots at Bynum.
Philadelphia DA Seth Williams responded to a 76ers reporter’s tweet Friday by suggesting he would open an investigation on Bynum for stealing money from the team:
@jmitchinquirer how much is he getting paid?Do I need to launch a grand jury investigation?
— Seth Williams (@DASethWilliams) March 1, 2013
@sheridanscribe @jmitchinquirer it could be fraud, theft of services or robbery.Fans and ticket buyers need to know. 10-9-8-76ers!
— Seth Williams (@DASethWilliams) March 1, 2013
In case you thought Williams’ offer to investigate Bynum was in jest, he continued to beat the same drum a day later, writing on Twitter that the fans and 76ers coach Doug Collins deserve better:
@davem_psl we deserve answers and Doug Collins deserves players that are willing to hustle and sacrifice like he did.
— Seth Williams (@DASethWilliams) March 2, 2013
@sethsoffer @roobcsn it is impossible to imagine #20 Doug Collins telling his coach he wouldn’t play with pain.
— Seth Williams (@DASethWilliams) March 2, 2013
@gonzocsn #20 Doug Collins would never have said that to his coach. He deserves players that will hustle and sacrifice like he did!
— Seth Williams (@DASethWilliams) March 2, 2013
@gonzocsn my hands are full with murderers and rapist but I will let you know if I decide to investigate Bynum.Fans and Doug deserve more!
— Seth Williams (@DASethWilliams) March 2, 2013
Is Williams just playing to frustrated Sixers fans to garner public support, or is he just upset as they are? It sure seems like the latter to me.
No matter how you look at it, Bynum’s season in Philadelphia has been a mess, and this just proves how fed up the Philly fans are with him. Bynum has not yet responded to Williams.
Photo Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
H/T SI’s Extra Mustard
