(Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports)
The 2013-14 NBA season will be one of many returns. The biggest return will likely be former MVP Derrick Rose for the Bulls. After a year off, it will be interesting to see what changes have developed in his game. Will Rose attack the basket as relentlessly as he did before he injured his knee? While there are many questions related to Rose, we know that he returns to the same team with the same coach. For bigger questions, we can look at Andrew Bynum and Greg Oden, who should both return to the league with new teams, but are in diametrically opposite situations.
There is little doubt that Bynum will be booed lustily any time he goes to Philadelphia. Say what you want about fans of Philly sports teams, but they are not one to give up a grudge. The Bynum trade basically sent the 76ers into rebuilding (or tanking, if you prefer). I do understand why Doug Collins and the previous 76er regime made the deal: they were treading water, they went for the long ball, and Bynum never was healthy enough to play. As I’ve written before, I think the 76ers are going to be historically terrible in 2013-14, and are somehow receiving praise for that.
The Cavaliers showed that they were serious about trying to make the playoffs for the first time since since LeBron left. They opened the coffers for Bynum (on a two-year contract, the second year is a team option) and Jarrett Jack. To realize the postseason dream, Cleveland will need a full season out of either Bynum or Anderson Varejao. Based on previous history, that hardly seems like a sure thing. Bynum did play 60 of the 66 games in the strike-shortened 2011-12 season, but had missed at least 17 games in each season from 2007-08 to 2010-11. Cleveland really needs Bynum to prove his productive season (18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds) wasn’t a fluke. At this point, Tyler Zeller looks average at best and Tristan Thompson was unable to produce even league-average numbers when Varejao was in the lineup. Zeller and Thompson are both young and have potential, but will likely be relegated to the bench. If Bynum is healthy (and he did have his best season with coach Mike Brown in Los Angeles), Cleveland should not only make the playoffs but get a pretty decent seed.
Expectations are decidedly lower for Oden. After three years away from the league, he will attempt a comeback with the Heat, which is the perfect landing spot for the former Ohio State center. On a side note, I still can’t fault the Trailblazers for taking him over Kevin Durant. Injuries aside, Oden looked like a dominant defensive center who could contribute on the low post on offense. I have a prejudice against skinny players coming out of college (which is one reason why I am not crazy about Michael Carter-Williams’ prospects with the 76ers; another reason: he can’t shoot), but Durant has obviously brought the goods. According to various reports, Oden may not be ready for the beginning of the season. It’s not as if the Heat really need him. The expectations are for him to be an upgrade on Joel Anthony. Even in his limited capacity, I think he can do that.
The last thing I’d like to note is that there is a different perception of the two oft-injured centers. People seem to be rooting for Oden more than Bynum. Both players were picked in the lottery and have had missteps off the court (Oden dealing with photography, Bynum with bowling). Yet, there seems to be a feeling that Oden is cursed by bad luck, but Bynum’s goofiness led to some of his injuries. Maybe this is true, but I am not sure it is fair. Injury prone players are often criticized by fans and the media, when – if they had their druthers – I am sure they’d rather be playing than rehabbing. Perhaps Bynum’s lost 2012-13 season will lead to a renewed focus with the Cavaliers. I hope Bynum and Oden (as well as Rose) are able to come back and have an impact on the league. The more talent in the league, the better.
Perry Missner is a college basketball enthusiast who writes for RotoWire along with several other outlets. He welcomes your comments on Twitter at @PerryMissner or via email at [email protected]
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