Sixers Notes: Bynum staying involved at camp

Andrew Bynum did as he said and participated in the team’s walkthrough of plays during the first day of training camp on Tuesday. 

Doug Collins made it clear to his other bigs that what each guy was doing on the floor was not about where they would feel comfortable playing, rather simulating what Bynum would do if he were there. 

Despite being limited as he continues to rehab his knees, Bynum was very much a participant on Day 1.

“He was out there with us and we were going through all of our stuff,” Collins said. “Any time we threw the ball in the post I said, ‘is this where you want the guys to be? How do you like them cutting?’ 

“Even if anybody else is out there, we want to continue to play that way so that we get in a habit of doing it. We don’t want to play exhibition one way and then change, because that would be too much for our guys with getting our shooters in the right spots.”

When the rest of the team moved on to scrimmaging, Bynum got on the elliptical machine and then proceeded to do his weightlifting. The center is by no means taking these three weeks easy.

“He worked his tail off because he knows come time when he is going to get out on the floor that people are looking to him to help take this franchise to new heights,” Collins said.

A year ago, Jrue Holiday travelled to Germany to take in the Women’s World Cup. The United States lost to Japan in a penalty shootout in the championship game. 

This past summer, Holiday traveled to London for the Olympic Games. This time, the United States women’s soccer team took home the gold.

Holiday has a strong rooting interest in the red, white and blue squad. His girlfriend Lauren Cheney is a member of the national team.

The two met during Holiday’s freshman year at UCLA and have been together ever since. Recently, the 22-year-old Holiday decided to take the next step.

“I put it (engagement ring) in the clean clothes basket,” Holiday said, describing his marriage proposal here in Philadelphia. “She was going through the clothes and when she found it I was down on one knee. It was really the only thing to do. She was putting clothes away and I said I might as well slip it in there. It was pretty cheesy, but I am a romantic.”

Cheney said yes, of course.