Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

In the smallest glimmer of hope the Philadelphia 76ers have had all season long, All-Star center Andrew Bynum has FINALLY returned to practice.

Yippee.

While it’s certainly a step in the right direction, coach Doug Collins still believes Andrew is a long way away from being able to play.

“He looked like a guy who hadn’t played in nine months,” Collins said. “I don’t think any bells and whistles should be sent off that he’s close to playing.” (ESPN.com)

Bynum has yet to suit up for the 76ers after being dealt to the team in the trade that sent Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers.

This is a nice change of pace, as the only time we ever hear his name in the news as of late, is when he’s injuring himself playing bowling or altering his hair in some ridiculous fashion.

Here’s your latest Andrew Bynum hair update….the puzzle. twitter.com/MySportsLegion…

— NBA Legion (@MySportsLegion) February 24, 2013

Philadelphia is 22-31 on the year, which is good enough for ninth in the Eastern Conference. They are currently 3.5 games behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the eighth and final playoff spot. Luckily for the 76ers, they are competing in the East, as their record would only be 12th in the West.

It could be a lot worse, I suppose.

If Andrew Bynum had knees made of pure titanium that would never, ever bruise, Philadelphia probably wouldn’t be as worse for wear as they currently are.

He’s a game-changer in every sense of the word. A 7-footer whose effective on both offense and defense is a rare commodity these days, making Bynum all the more valuable. He will become a free-agent at the end of the season, so there is still a chance that he may sit out for the remainder of the year and bolt during the summer without ever having played a game.

I can’t fault the organization for taking a chance on Andrew Bynum, who when healthy, is a top-25 player in the NBA. They weren’t exactly a powerhouse before they made the trade, so why not roll the dice?

None of that matters though, because he’s not healthy. He hasn’t been healthy all year. His health has been a major red flag his entire career, having played at least 65 games in just two of his eight seasons.

Would the franchise be in better shape had they not made the move?

Probably. At least for this season.

Andre Iguodala is putting up 13 points, five rebounds and four assists for the fifth-best team in the Western Conference, and second-year player Nikola Vucevic is averaging a double-double of 12.3 points and 11.4 rebounds (fourth in NBA) for the Orlando Magic. The 76ers would be a playoff team with their roster last 2012 still aboard. They wouldn’t make a lot of noise, but they would be right in the thick of things nonetheless.

Trading for Bynum offered hope that competing with the Miami Heat and moving up the Eastern Conference ladder was a distinct possibility.

Now, we just don’t know. There is a cloud of doubt over this franchise that won’t fade away until he plays.

If he plays.

I’m not looking at the faults of management for now, because believe me, there are a lot that have set this team back. I’m strictly looking at Andrew Bynum.

His bad knees, his poor effort and commitment to rehabbing, his puzzling demeanor and lackadaisical attitude have poisoned the 76ers.

It’s true.

They tried. They really did.

They have the money to re-sign him if they choose to go down that path in July. Considering what they gave up to get him, they better hope that they do.

Really though, would you blame them if they didn’t?

As harsh as it may sound, Andrew Bynum is toxic to the Sixers. This whole dilemma reeks of something fierce.

After today, Philadelphia will have just 24 games left on the schedule.

Patience is wearing thin and time is running out.

Chris Walder is the Editor of Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter at @WalderSports

Before the season commenced, various casinos projected each team’s win totals. For the sake of consistency, I’ve chosen Bet Online’s numbers. I’ve also referenced Basketball Reference’s forecast tool, which has been projecting and updating each team’s win totals throughout the year.

For the most part, Bet Online was on target with 21 of the 30 teams, coming within five wins of their projected totals. Most notably, they nailed it with Toronto (33 wins) and Washington (29) – pan the camera over to Raptors and Wizards fans nodding and sobbing.

Counting down the NBA’s worst underachievers, you can cite several reasons for why each team has not met their pre-season expectations, but, on the bright side, most are still in the playoff race.

Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves (18-28)

Pre-Season Projection: 40.5
Forecasted Wins: 34.1
Difference: -6.4

The T-Wolves have been absolutely ravaged by injuries, which is quite a shame since they (along with the Nets) were the popular pre-season sleeper picks. Ricky Rubio missed the first 20 games of the season recovering from an ACL injury that’s also caused him to miss an additional five games. All-Star forward Kevin Love has only played 18 games this season and is expected to be out until March with a finger injury. If you had to predict one person to go on the injured list this year, your money likely would have been on Brandon Roy. He’s currently missed all but five games, yet is resisting the thought of retirement. Chase Budinger (remember him?) has missed 87% of the season. By the time he returns, it may be too late for a realistic playoff run. Added to all of this is the news of Rick Adelman missing three weeks to help tend to his ill wife. It’s a testament to David Kahn that he’s built a team that’s even remotely competitive in the big, bad, Western Conference.

Feb 6 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) during the second half against Houston Rockets at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat (32-14)

Pre-Season Projection: 61.5
Forecasted Wins: 55.2
Difference: -7.3

The term “underachiever” is used pretty loosely in this column. While the Heat are projected to finish seven games worse than expected, as long as they’re healthy and clicking on all cylinders by April, their regular season will be considered a success. That being said, there is still some concern about their performance to date. Miami is dead last in offensive rebounding and total rebounding. Small-ball is the name of the game in this new NBA, but the Heat’s rebounding numbers are still down by almost three per game (41.6 to 38.9). Another concern is the improved competition in the East. Miami has lost all games played thus far against the Knicks, Pacers, and Bulls. Chicago should be an even more formidable foe when their MVP, Derrick Rose, returns to the lineup next week. Finally, a staple of the Heat’s championship run last season was their defense. Miami’s overall defensive rating and opponent’s points allowed have both dropped from 4th to 12th this season. They’re giving up four more points per game (92.5 to 96.5). It’s been said that a title is much harder to defend because the bulls-eye is on your back. That’s never been truer than with the Miami Heat.

Boston Celtics (26-23)

Pre-Season Projection: 51.0
Forecasted Wins: 40.9
Difference: -10.1

Is this the end of an era in Boston? When Kevin Garnett was brought in with Ray Allen in 2007 to form the Big Three with Paul Pierce, the Celtics have been NBA champs, NBA finalists, and Eastern Conference finalists – all because of their defense. Check out the numbers:

2008: 90.3 opponents points per game (rank 2nd), 98.9 defensive rating (rank 1st)
2009: 93.4 opp. ppg (3rd), 102.3 def. rating (2nd)
2010: 95.6 opp. ppg (5th), 103.8 def. rating (5th)
2011: 91.1 opp. ppg (1st), 100.3 def. rating (2nd)
2012: 89.3 opp. ppg (2nd), 98.2 def. rating (1st)
2013: 96.0 opp. ppg (10th), 102.7 def. rating (7th)

So, the Celtics have dropped from a top-two defense in four of the last five years, to just an above average defense. Mind you, these numbers do not show the impact of Rajon Rondo‘s season-ending injury. Boston has shown great teamwork in winning their first five games without Rondo. However, four of those games were against Sacramento, Orlando, Toronto, and a Clipper team without Chris Paul. With Garnett and Pierce on the wrong side of 35, the title window is very close to shutting.

Philadelphia 76ers (21-27)

Pre-Season Projection: 48.0
Forecasted Wins: 36.1
Difference: -11.9

While Jrue Holiday‘s All-Star selection is both deserving and well-earned, that seems to be the lone bright spot on this disappointing season. Andrew Bynum‘s only contribution to the Sixers organization has been perm-related. Predicting a 48-win season (or 58.5% winning percentage) for a team that had a 53.5% winning percentage last season was pretty bold considering a) they lost their two defensive anchors in Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand, b) they lost their top scorer in Lou Williams and c) they were pinning their hopes on an injury-prone, seven-footer who’s missed an average of 24 games per season. Suffice to say this was a losing bet from the outset. Philly’s defensive numbers have plummeted without Brand manning the middle and Iguodala guarding the Durants and James’ of the NBA. The league’s 3rd ranked defense last year has now dropped to 11th. Philadelphia was 3rd in opponents FG% and 3-PT FG%. This year, they are 16th and 10th, respectively. With no guarantees on when Bynum will return, Thaddeus Young missing the next three weeks (strained left hamstring), and Jason Richardson done for the season (left knee), Doug Collins may be the scapegoat for a failed Sixer season.

Los Angeles Lakers

Pre-Season Projection: 59.0
Forecasted Wins: 41.7
Difference: -17.3

What can I say that hasn’t already been said about the Titanic (the movie) – it’s terrifying for those who were involved, but it’s still great entertainment for everyone else.

The Lakers’ downfall is a two-part article all on its own.

A picture may be worth a thousand words and the one below only begins to explain what’s happened in Lakerland.

 Jay Rosales is a staff writer for Sir Charles In Charge. You may follow him on Twitter at @Rosalesaurus