Andrew Bynum makes surprise debut for the Cavaliers (VIDEO)

Andrew Bynum made a surprise debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night and received a warm welcome from the home crowd at Quicken Loans Arena.

The center's long-awaited appearance marked his first regular season NBA game in 537 days.

Bynum played 7:34 in the first half against the Brooklyn Nets, going 1-for-5 from the field to finish with three points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots — including an emphatic rejection of Deron Williams.

Andrew Bynum flamenco dancing in Spain (VIDEO)

The NBA playoffs seem to be the last thing on Andrew Bynum's mind these days.  And who can blame him. The Philadelphia 76ers player — with both knees just six weeks from season-ending arthroscopic surgery — was spotted doing a mean flamenco in a festive restaurant in Spain — far from his critics in the City of Brotherly Love.

The much maligned center with the bum knees looked like he was incorporating some new kind of Andalusian therapy in his off-season rehab. At least it looks safer than bowling.



Philly fans might lose their lunch at seeing their big man getting outdone a couple of 50-something women on the dance floor. A better sight might be the menu at the Basque restaurant Meson Txistu where the big fellow dined.

Tapas anyone?

Tyson Chandler takes issue with Shaq's NBA center rankings

Dwight Howard isn't the only player who disagrees with Shaquille O'Neal's ranking of NBA centers.  New York Knicks big man Tyson Chandler took issue with the TNT analyst's assessment that the two best centers in the NBA right now are "Robin" Lopez and Andrew Bynum.

The slighted Howard called Shaq's rankings "comical," reports The New York Post.

"I was watching 'SportsCenter' this morning, eating breakfast in the team lounge, and I was laughing at the whole thing," Chandler said.  "I honestly think it's comical.  I don't care about rankings.

"That's one individual's point of view.  I know where I'm at.  I know what my value is.  And I know better I have to continue to get better."

Maybe Chandler's tough skin comes from years of being underrated.  Chandler, last season's NBA Defensive Player of the Year and U.S. Olympic team member, is used to getting such congratulatory snubs.

During the London Games, Chandler told The Post it was "ridiculous" that the coaches voted him second-team All Defense after he won the won the Defensive Player of the Year award.  Try and figure that one out.

Shaq may have ruffled Chandler's feathers with the Bynum and Robin Lopez — we're sure he meant twin-brother Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez —  comment, but the Knicks center might have Shaq eating crow.  The Knicks enter the season with high hopes and a improved — if not older— roster.

Who knows.  With Howard out in Los Angeles, Chandler has a good shot of making his first All-Star team.  That is if any Lopez brother or Bynum doesn't get in the way.

Tyson Chandler on London Olympics: I'd represent

The loss of big men Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge for the London Olympics after surgeries have created a huge hole in the middle of the USA basketball team but not if Tyson Chandler can help it.

The New York Knicks center is ready to put his own red, white and blue Superman get-up and fly to the rescue after the Knicks playoff run is through.

After the injuries to the two centers and Andrew Bynum saying he wasn't interested in joining the squad, Chandler may now even get to start for the U.S. Olympic team.

Chandler, who was not selected for the 2008 Olympic gold-medal team but was a member of  Team USA in the 2010 World Championships says he wants in. He was already named one of the 20 finalists for 2012 in London in January.

"I'm definitely ready to represent my country," Chandler told The New York Post.  "I'm very excited.  Just  to be able to be considered for the USA team is a blessing and something I'm very proud of.  I committed myself when I joined in 2007.  I still feel that way."

Although Chandler didn't play at this year's 2012 All-Star game, he's had a remarkable season and is a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.  His 'D' on the court is outstanding.  In the three games he's missed, the Knicks allowed an average of 116.3 points— far above their average in the Mike Woodson Era.