At an introductory press conference yesterday, nearly 1,500 fans broke into "raucous chants" in support of newly-acquired C Andrew Bynum, "the player on whom the franchise now hangs its hopes," according to John Mitchell of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. Bynum was joined at the press conference by 76ers Majority Owner Josh Harris, CEO Adam Aron, President Rod Thorn, and new G Jason Richardson. Bynum said, “To be honest, man, my first experience here has been so great that I'm leaning toward making this my home. I'm not a guy who wants to be all around and have a lot of teams under my belt. But that's really the answer. I'm really looking forward to making this my home." Bynum’s agent David Lee said, "I'll just say that I want the kid to be happy” (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 8/16).
OWNERS, FANS EXCITED: In Philadelphia, Marcus Hayes writes Harris is “ready to tie the knot” and he “cannot offer Bynum a max-deal fast enough.” Harris said, “Where do I sign? Show me the contract!” Hayes notes there is “one immediate reward for the Sixers’ risk,” as Aron said season tickets have been “flying off the shelves” since the deal was finalized last week. The Sixers “offered no statistical evidence” of increased fan interest, but there is “empirical evidence: Hundreds of Sixers fans crammed themselves into a cordoned mosh pit on the second floor of the National Constitution Center to watch the press conference.” Hayes notes it really was “less a press conference than an outrageous publicity stunt aimed at impressing Bynum,” and “it worked.” Harris said, "The recruiting process started today. This was a good kickoff." Hayes: “As titillating as Bynum's talents might be, Harris would prove most intelligent if he spends a few months in courtship before he slips a diamond on the finger of Andrew Bynum” (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 8/16). Also in Philadelphia, Alex Lee writes from the start, Aron and Harris “have expressed a desire to build something here in Philadelphia” and they “have gone a long way toward showing it” (PHILLY.com, 8/16).
