Andrew Bynum, Thaddeus Young show signs of being on the mend

THE DRILL progressed, and Andrew Bynum and Thaddeus Young spun and drove and even dunked.

Neither wore support for his injury: Bynum, minus a knee brace for perhaps the first time this season; Young, in his trademark tights, but with no other compression device sheathing his hamstring.

For the struggling Sixers, it was a thrilling scene; their projected power forward and stud center working out in the team's first practice after the All-Star Game. The Sixers, four games behind Milwaukee for a playoff spot, desperately could use their presence over the final 31 games.

Famously, Bynum announced a few weeks ago that he hoped to return after the All-Star break.

Could it be . . . ?

No.

"He's still where he's been," coach Doug Collins said. "Nothing's changed with that . . . The question's going to be him getting out there. He's not done anything [like scrimmage] with contact."

There remains no timetable for Bynum's Sixers debut, team spokesman Mike Preston said.

Bynum was the keystone to the offseason trade that sent All-Star and Olympian Andre Iguodala to Denver.

The Sixers hoped that, with Iguodala gone, Young would fill a larger role. He did; in fact, Young's energy and athleticism have proved indispensible. The Sixers are 1-3 without Young, whom Collins called the team's "glue." That includes blowout losses at home to the Pacers and Clippers.

Young might return from his hamstring strain a game or two early, Collins said, but a week from now, when the Magic visits, would be at the end of his expected 3-week recovery period.

Collins said Young could play Sunday at the Knicks. Monday, Young used an elliptical trainer and did some shuttle runs through cones, in addition to the post drills, his first oncourt basketball work since he strained his hamstring.

Increased activity Tuesday and how Young responds to it should determine his exact return date - a relief to Young, who last week boarded a plane for his hometown worried about his status. Young spent the break in Memphis performing a rehab routine the Sixers prescribed.

Bynum, who did not give his usual Monday state-of-the-Andrew address, said he planned to spend the break in Los Angeles, where he played his first seven seasons.

Apparently, Bynum found a qualified hairstylist, who twisted his hitherto wild hairstyle into tight, fresh braids.

Not coincidentally, perhaps, Bynum seemed fitter than ever.

"I feel like that break definitely helped him," teammate Jrue Holiday said. "It could've been the braids, too. The braids are just subtle. Nice and relaxed. Nothing crazy, like the Afro."

It was an honor, and it was fun, but Jrue Holiday managed to mix a little work into his first All-Star Game appearance.

"I learned a lot: Attention to detail is what separates you from everybody else," Holiday said. "Mentally. Physically. How some of these guys prepare for games, every single time. How they take an angle to the basket. They separate themselves with their attention to detail. They're so precise at it, so good at it . . . Hopefully, I can translate it back [and emulate it]."

Holiday said little but noticed plenty, especially when he looked at his nearly barren All-Star warmup jacket, on which players get a star for each All-Star Game appearance.

"My warmup was kind of lonely. I had one patch. One star on it. Guys like [Kevin Garnett] had, like, 15. These guys will definitely go down in basketball history."

The Sixers signed Jeremy Pargo for the remainder of the season, cementing him as the backup for overtaxed All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday.

"I'm excited for him," Holiday said. "I love playing with him. It does take some pressure off, where I don't have to handle the ball all the time."

Holiday averages 38.3 minutes per game, almost all as the catalyst before Pargo signed a 10-day contract on Feb. 7.

Pargo, a sturdy, 26-year-old journeyman, has averaged 8.0 points and 2.7 in 23.6 minutes in his three games with the Sixers.