(Times/ERIC HARTLINE)

Andrew Bynum did not practice Wednesday, and 76ers coach Doug Collins and general manager Tony DiLeo said the 7-foot center will not participate in basketball activities until Bynum is pain free in his right knee.

“We are going to hold him from basketball-related activities until he’s pain-free,” DiLeo said. “He is improving, so it’s nothing new. It’s just something that’s not completely healed.”

Bynum has not practiced with the Sixers since joining them via a four-way trade in August. The team announced Oct. 1 Bynum would miss three weeks while battling discomfort in a right knee in which he sustained a bone bruise. Three weeks are up, and Bynum still isn’t practicing.

Bynum said “it’s a possibility” that he’ll be available for the Sixers’ opener against Denver Oct. 31, “but to be honest, it’s up to the team and to the doctors and all that.”

“I just want to avoid any kind of setback, so that’s where we are. We’ll reevaluate it,” Bynum said Wednesday, following the Sixers’ practice at PCOM.

“I’ve carried a certain amount of swelling in the past, but it’s always resolved, always been able to play. … I’m confident that this issue will resolve, given time to rest and given time to heal.”

Bynum, who had a joint-grease injection of Synvisc-One Monday, said the day-to-day stuff like walking and standing for extended periods does not cause pain. Rather, it's "impact stuff" like running that causes discomfort. Bynum offered a degree of clarity on the origin of the injury, saying it occurred in a basketball drill prior to the opening of training camp, and that it was not during a scrimmage or a pick-up game. DiLeo said Bynum has not progressed to the point where he is running.

Collins has said this preseason that his primary objective was to get a sense of where the Sixers were without Bynum. That preparedness helped them amass a 6-1 preseason mark and renew confidence among his players.

Still, if he had his druthers, Collins would opt to have Bynum as a participant in practice, rather than a spectator attempting to learn his teammates’ tendencies.

“He’s new to our team and just trying to watch what we’re doing,” Collins said. He’s got a good handle on our personnel and what everybody does well. I think it’s important, especially when you’re a big guy playing in the post, to know the guys you’re playing well.”

Added Bynum: “I don’t feel pressure, but I’m more psychologically feeling like it stinks not being able to play. It’s tough coming and staying motivated and things like that. My teammates are there. They’re all patting me on the back, wanting me to get back. That helps. My coaches, they’ve been a great pleasure for me to talk to also and advocate being healthy and getting back. That’s the big picture."

Without Bynum available, and knowing what he knows now about Bynum's knees, DiLeo said he still would have proceeded with the trade to acquire him.

"Yes, absolutely," DiLeo said.

The Sixers practice again Thursday.

(Times / ERIC HARTLINE)

Here’s the good news, 76ers fans: General managers around the NBA agree that there are plenty of reasons to be excited about this season’s team.

Here’s the bad news: They think the Sixers are the fourth-best team in their division.

Monday, the NBA released theresults of its annual poll of GMs and assures us that all 30 responded to the 57 questions, ranging in topics from teams, players, coaches, fans and offseason transactions. Below is a recap:

Q: Which team will win the Atlantic Division?

A: Boston (66.7%); Brooklyn (13.3); New York (13.3); Sixers (6.7)

Q: Who is the best center in the NBA?

A: Dwight Howard, LA Lakers (93.3%); Andrew Bynum, Sixers (6.7).

Q: Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?

A: Gregg Popovich, San Antoinio (40%); Rich Carlisle, Dallas (20); Doug Collins, Sixers (13.3).

Q: Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?

A: Dwight Howard, LA Lakers (70%). Bynum finished outside the top three, but received votes.

Q: Which player is most likely to have a breakout season?

A: Klay Thompson, Golden State (13.3%). Evan Turner finished outside the top three, but received votes.

Q: Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?

A: Brian Shaw, Indiana (23.3%). Michael Curry finished outside the top five, but received votes.

(Times / ERIC HARTLINE)

The 76ers kicked off their much-anticipated 2012 campaign with Monday's obligatory media day, with players in uniform posing for photos.

But nothing was standard about media day.

Here's a quick recap:

• Andrew Bynum's sitting for three weeks.
• Doug Collins is staying for two more seasons.
• Maalik Wayns has turned heads (already).

Really, if the proceedings from Monday could be boiled down into three sentences, those are the three.

Other highlights included: Evan Turner taking a Sixers-issued FlipCam around media day and shooting footage for the team; Thad Young talking about an expanded role (literally), with Collins remarking that Young knocked down eight 3-pointers in a recent scrimmage; Kwame Brown referring to his status as a former No. 1 draft choice as "ancient history"; Spencer Hawes looking more clean-cut and toned up, having slimmed down and shaved off some of his scruff; and second-year man Lavoy Allen playing the role of timid rookie, saying he's "just happy to be here."

So there's that.

The Sixers are at work as we speak, taking part in the first session of their first two-a-day routine of the new season. So stay tuned for updates.