(Associated Press)

CHICAGO – It’s not easy, but Ed Pinckney keeps his eye on everything.

Just the other day, he said he had GameTracker up and running on his computer, keeping an eye on Villanova hoops while dishing out pregame warmup passes to Rip Hamilton. So Pinckney, the Chicago assistant coach by way of Villanova, said the Sixers have something good on their hands in big man Andrew Bynum.

Pinckney’s an 11-year NBA veteran who retired in 1997, so he knows the strain that can be placed upon a post player’s body over the course of an 82-game season. The Bulls assistant coach, who won a national championship at ’Nova in 1985 – said Philly fans should be patient with Bynum because they’ve got a rare commodity.

“I think Philly is tough, man. You’ve got to bring it, and (Bynum) hasn’t had an opportunity to get on the court,” Pinckney said Saturday, prior to tipoff of the Sixers-Bulls game. “Once he does, people will understand why they sacrificed what they did to get him.”

(Associated Press)

Bynum has yet to play or even practice with the Sixers this season, while dealing with bilateral bone bruises and weakened cartilage in each of his knees. The Sixers traded for Bynum, the 2011-12 All-Star and two-time NBA champion, in a four-team swap Aug. 10.

“He’s one of very few big guys who can play with their backs to the basket,” Pinckney said. “There aren’t a lot of those guys around. It’s just a matter of managing his injury and getting him on the court. Then people will have an understanding of why he’s there.”