The problem is not how many years he has left. Question is, how many can he play the game at a high level. Think Greg Oden, he played for several years and contributed at times but not worth the risk anymore, maybe the minimum. Bynum can give you 50-80 games a season for the next couple years maybe. After that the number will go down. The question is how fast.
I don't understand why they are going to germany.I had the same thing done to my knee in the US.I can say it certainly put a stop to the pain,however I also had back surgery soon after, so I have no idea how it would have held up under my prior lifestyle. Regardless,it may help with pain,but no way it's going to reverse the major damage that's been done.With Bynum it's not a case of "if" he goes down again but when. If it was bynum taken by himself it might be worth a risk,but no way do I hand howard to the lakers...that's just not even something I'd consider.
I'd hate to sign the guy to a five year max, and then watch him gain 100 pounds and make it rain with candy bars and donuts.
If Bruce Wayne wasn't hogging all the robotic knee technology, we wouldn't need to worry about these things.
The question shouldn't be how many years he can play, but rather if he can play full seasons that include the playoffs. The Rockets aren't so talented that they can afford Bynum missing 30+games and still have a sweet spot in the midst of contending. And any playoff games missed by Bynum becomes a lost year for the team. Even if Bynum has another 5+ years left in him, if he keeps getting in and out of the lineup over this time, we might be even more screwed then if we had simply rebuilt. We're not the Lakers in that we have a Kobe/Gasol to pick up the slack if Bynum isn't beasting.
He hasn't had an injury-related absence since 2010. When I say 8-to-9 years, I mean mostly healthy, not in-and-out. (I know my opinion isn't the gospel, but just to clarify.)
