“He should just go play basketball and try to enjoy the game as much as possible,’’ smiled Iguodala, knowing that’s so much easier said than done. “Realize you can’t please everybody.
“Even LeBron still has his doubters.’’
Across the way, Bynum walked down the Wells Fargo Center hallway in relative anonymity, not an easy task for such a large human being. The Sixers are saying all the right things about his absence, almost as if they’re trying to convince themselves not having him in the short term isn’t a big deal – as long as he’s there when it counts.
If nothing else, though, the opener showed how misleading their 6-1 preseason truly was. They won with virtually no inside game, relying on jump shots and defense. That’s not a formula for long-term success.
With the video board proclaiming “50 Seasons of Tradition … 50 Seasons of Glory… 50 Seasons of Thrills’’ the two big men most recognized for the franchise’s post-merger success – Moses Malone and Dikembe Mutombo – came out before the game to take a bow. The inference here is that Bynum is the next in line to take the baton and carry them over the finish line, presuming his knees cooperate.
Instead, folks left the building chanting the name of Spencer Hawes.
Victory on this night aside, that’s not exactly the blueprint the Philadelphia 76ers ultimately have in mind. But they’ll take it.
Jon Marks has covered the Philadelphia 76ers from the days of Dr. J and his teammate, Joe Bryant (best known as Kobe’s dad). He has won awards from the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association and North Jersey Press Club. His other claim to fame is driving Rick Mahorn to a playoff game after missing the team bus. Follow him on Twitter.