By Spike Eskin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – To say that the Andrew Bynum era hasn’t gone as the Sixers expected, would be to make the understatement of the day.

Bynum told reporters today that he’s now unsure if he will play this season, after experiencing swelling in his knee after his first five-on-five practice last Friday. Bynum had been optimistic that he will play this season.

“Now it’s getting late, I don’t know [about playing this year],” Bynum said (via the Twitter of Chris Vito).

When asked about a possible cure for what’s ailing him, he seemed (perhaps insanely) optimistic. “They just grew cartilage in a Petri dish. Scientists are looking at it. Theyre going to come up with something,” Bynum said (also via Vito’s Twitter).

Bynum was asked about the perception of fans that he doesn’t want to play in pain. “That’s true, I don’t want to play in pain,” Bynum said (via the Twitter of John Gonzalez).

Saturday night is Wilt Chamberlain Bobblehead Night, as the Sixers play the Golden State Warriors. Perhaps the Wilt bobblehead can scrounge up a few minutes at center, in case Doug Collins doesn’t think Arnett Moultrie is in game shape yet.