Andrew Bynum Says He's Dunking

The Philadelphia 76ers got some good news about their big offseason acquisition, as Andrew Bynum dunked during his Sunday workout session. Bynum told CSNPhilly.com's John Finger:

I still haven’t done slides yet, but I dunked yesterday. That’s good. I can still do that.

As silly as it seems to celebrate a single little dunk, for a guy who hasn't been anywhere near NBA action since the playoffs last season, it's a big step in the right direction, with the end result being Bynum actually playing basketball for the 76ers.

It's been a lot of baby steps for Bynum since it was revealed that pain in his knee was more than just a slight injury.

He underwent the platelet-rich plasma therapy surgery (the one that Kobe Bryant made famous before the 2012 season) that has been used to help prevent the wearing down of knee cartilage and seems to have had an impact on guys like Bryant and Grant Hill.

There has been little signs of improvement throughout the seasons, just a lessening of pain and a bit more of an ability for Bynum to maneuver, a few more practices here and there and a constantly moving return date.

In the interview with Bynum in which he told reporters that he's able to dunk relatively pain free, he sets his sights for a return sometime after the All-Star break.

However, reports are now saying that there's a chance that Bynum could end up returning before the All-Star break:

League source: Bynum could be back before All-Star break.

— john mitchell (@JmitchInquirer) January 27, 2013

With Bynum on the verge of returning, it seems as if the Philadelphia 76ers suddenly have a shot at making the playoffs, especially considering the recent developments at the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

The Boston Celtics lost Rajon Rondo for the season to a torn ACL, and the odds are looking like they could blow up the team with any sign of weakness.

Given that, a playoff spot opens up at the bottom of the East, and the Sixers sit in an advantageous position in ninth, hanging around just enough so they can make a final push down the stretch once Bynum does return.

It's all going to depend upon how well he plays once he returns, and if he's actually healthy enough to stay in the game and make a positive impact.

Philadelphia is in a position to make a run, but it needs Bynum's return to be positive and permanent, so rushing him back would probably have done more harm than good. 

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1505994-andrew-bynum-says-hes-dunking

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