Here is the one name Sixers fans are trying not to think about today.
No, it’s not Andrew Bynum, who continues to be bothered by pain in his knees and has yet to partake in a single practice for the team.
It’s Jeff Ruland.
If you’re a young fan and the name doesn’t ring a bell, you can Google it.
Older fans wince every time they hear the name. Back in 1986, the Sixers traded Moses Malone, Terry Catledge and a couple fo first-round draft choices in 1986 and 1988. In return they acquired Ruland and Cliff Robinson.
It was a stunning swap of centers. At the time, most experts liked the deal. Malone was past his peak, and the team decided to start a new era anchored by Ruland in the middle. The trick was Ruland’s propensity for injury.
He had battled persistent foot and knee problems.
It didn’t take long for the problem to rear its ugly head.
Ruland played all of five games for the Sixers before retiring because he of chronic knee problems.
Now some are wondering if Bynum, acquired with much fanfare from the Lakers in a three-way deal that punched Andre Iguodala’s ticket out of town, is not Ruland, The Sequel.
Bynum has been unable to take part in one practice because of pain in his knees. He has had several procedures, but still has not been able to get on the court.
You can read all the details on yesterday's medical update on Bynum here.
It now seems unlikely that he will be on the floor when the Sixers open the season next Wednesday against, of all people, Iguodala and the Nuggets.
The shround of Jeff Ruland has hung over this franchise for a long time. A repeat performance in the Bynum deal would be a killer blow to an organization that appears to finally be righting the ship.
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