(Associated Press)

If you're inclined to lean a little on the incredulous side, Doug Collins gave you something to believe in Saturday afternoon, when he declared Kwame Brown is "ready to play."

What does that mean for the 76ers, who tip off with the New York Knicks Sunday at noon?

They need another big body, especially without Andrew Bynum for the foreseeable future. That's where Brown comes in. The 6-11 veteran, who's closer to 300 pounds than his 270 listed weight, fits the bill.

The Sixers aren't looking for much from Brown, whose career averages are 6.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game. Instead, they're looking for a guy who's going to occupy space, challenge other bigs defensively, take a couple fouls ... and maybe give them somewhere in the ballpark of 12 to 17 minutes.

Collins liked how Brown, who practiced at full capacity this week, played the role of brute against the Sixers' smaller guys.

“I talked to Kwame a little bit. We’re going to need him (for) his size, his strength," Collins said Saturday, after practice at PCOM. "Plus if Lavoy (Allen) is going to struggle, I’ve got to let Kwame get out there and play. I talked to Kwame. I said, ‘I could’ve used you the other night maybe in certain situations.’ But he missed a lot of camp and it takes time getting him back into the swing of things. 

"He’s had two very good practices. He gives us a strength and size in there we need, and he’s ready to play."