Cleveland Cavaliers center Andrew Bynum admitted he still considers retiring from the NBA because of his knee issues. The 26-year-old, injury-plagued big man also isn't expecting a warm welcome when the Cavaliers visit the 76ers on Friday.
"Retirement was a thought, it was a serious thought. It still is," Bynum told reporters on Thursday, via ESPN. "It's tough to enjoy the game because of how limited I am physically. I'm working through that. Every now and again I do [think about retirement]. ...It's still career-threatening. I'm a shell of myself on the court right now. I'm just struggling mentally."
Bynum is following a strict rehab regiment that limits his minutes on the court; the goal is to slowly transition him back to playing again. He's currently unable to play in back-to-back games, needing rest for his body between games. To date, Bynum is averaging 12.8 minutes per game, along with 5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
His most recent effort, on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, saw him play for 14 minutes; he finished with four points and four rebounds.
"I just want to be able to play without pain and find the joy again," said Bynum. "Right now I'm battling pain and it's annoying. I'm not able to do the things I'm used to doing and it's frustrating."
Bynum admitted earlier in the week that he doesn't believe he'll ever be the player he once was. His athleticism and explosiveness, according to him, is now gone.
"I don't think it's going to come back," Bynum said on Monday, via the Akron Beacon Journal. "It makes you have to rely more on footwork skills vs. athleticism.
Bynum and the Cavaliers visit the Philadelphia 76ers, the team who traded for him last summer, on Friday. After missing the entire 2012-13 season with the Sixers, Bynum isn't expecting a warm welcome.
"If I could've played I would have," Bynum said of his one-year with Philadelphia. "I don't really care (how the fans will treat him), it is what it is. I was hurt and I'm still hurt but I'm trying ... Nothing went bad, nothing went wrong. I think people just need to accept the facts that my knees are the way they are."
