Brand looking for a comeback
Elton Brand arrived a year ago in Philadelphia with a big contract, and even larger expectations. After signing a five-year $80 million contract, Brand could be seen on billboard all around the city. The 76ers were touting a Brand New Era and for the first time in a while, there was a palpable buzz around the team.
The Sixers were seemingly taking a gamble in Brand who returned to play just eight late-season games with the Los Angeles Clippers after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.
Brand’s debut with the Sixers never came close to matching the considerable buidup. He suffered a right shoulder dislocation on Dec. 17 against Milwaukee, missed 16 games, played in six more before announcing that he would undergo season-ending surgery.
Brand played just 29 games, averaging career lows in points per game (13.8) and minutes (31.7). He also averaged 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots.
For somebody who has career averages of 20.0 points. 10.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots, it was quite a departure.
“I have something to prove, absolutely, but it’s more to my teammates to (president an general manager) Ed Stefanski and the organization,” Brand said after modeling the Sixers’ new uniforms during a team promotion at the Wachovia Center.
Now a new season has arrived and Brand and the Sixers have taken a much lower profile, especially in a sports-crazed town such as Philadelphia, with the Phillies as the reigning World Series champions, the Eagles a contender for the Super Bowl and the Flyers being touted as a Stanley Cup candidate.
The Sixers?
This is a team that didn’t make any shattering offseason moves as they did the previous season when they signed Brand and re-signed Andre Iguodala, spending about $160 million in the two deals.
So the Sixers are looking at Brand as something new, a much more effective and healthier version from a year ago.
Even without Brand for the majority of the season, the Sixers earned a second straight playoff berth. The Sixers exited in the first round last season, losing in six games to the Orlando Magic, the eventual NBA finalist.
The Sixers were highly competitive with Orlando, until Hedo Turkoglu hit a three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left in an 84-81 win in Philadelphia that tied the series at two games apiece.
While many Eastern Conference teams made significant upgrades, the Sixers’ best addition could be a healthy Brand.
“I’m excited to be healthy, to add what I can to the team,” Brand said. “Two first-round losses for a young team that’s OK, but I was brought here to get further than that and that is my goal and what I have been thinking about the offseason.”
The 6-foot-9 Brand is a two-time All-Star, but now entering his 11th season, he has to prove that he is durable an capable of reviving his career.
At 30, he is sort of a greybeard on this young Sixers team, that certainly has the ability to return to the postseason.
Lou Williams will step in at point guard for the departed Andre Miller, who signed with Portland as a free agent.
Iguodala, now entering his sixth season, could be a potential All-Star after averaging 18.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in an NBA-high 39.9 minutes.
Forward Thaddeus Young, who just turned 21 in June, enters his third season as one of the bright young players in the game after averaging 15.3 points last season.
“When you roll out Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young, you have three nice core players and then the others have to step up,” Stefanski said.
That is true, but in a strange way, Brand at this point is more of an unknown than Iguodala and Young due to his recent injury history.
Brand has worked diligently in the offseason and fully expects to resume his role as a highly productive NBA player.
“I expect to be healthy throughout the season. Stats wise in this system, I expect to do what I have done most of my career,” he said. “If it’s not 20 (points), it’s close to that. If it’s not 10 rebounds, it’s close to that and if not 2-3 blocks it will be close to that, but overall winning is the most important factor.”
At least Brand has passed the eye test this summer while working out with his teammates. He has spent countless hours in the gym, refining his game
“He’s been killing everybody out there on the court,” Young said of Brand. “Some days I don’t even want to guard him. It’s hard to guard him he’s so big and strong, makes all type of hook shots and turnaround jumpers.”
Stefanski, whose first major move as team president and general manager was signing Brand, says that Brand will enter this season 100 percent healthy.
“He looks absolutely terrific,” Stefanski said. “His body fat, body weight is probably as good as it’s ever been and as a doctor said to me, Elton looks like a prize fighter who is cut so well.”
So Brand is ready to make the fight and attempt to regain his status as one of the elite power forwards in the game.
For him, he hopes it truly is a new era in Sixers basketball, one that matches the hype from a year ago.
BK Ron Said,
September 24, 2009 @ 9:30 am
Another Bust……..he is over rated and should have stayed in LA
BK Ron
jmals Said,
September 24, 2009 @ 9:49 am
He’s a solid player when healthy, but even if he does avoid injury will the Sixers be able to be a top 4 team in the East? Magic, Celtic, Cleaveland and……probably not the Sixers. Even if they do they won’t make the conference finals.
Fred Said,
September 24, 2009 @ 10:19 am
I wouldn’t consider Elton Brand over rated. My belief is contrary to that. He has career averages of 20 pts, 10 reb, and 2 blocks. Even with those numbers, he made the all-star team twice. One of those was as a substitute for an injured Shaq if I am not mistaken. He is under rated because he played for a bad Bulls team and the Clippers his entire career until now.
Thomas K. Said,
September 24, 2009 @ 10:20 am
If Elton stays healthy, I think 16 and 8 would be a great output for him and a great asset to the Sixers. At 30, a career resurgence is not out of the question but I believe his best days are behind him, and we will never again see the 20pt, 10 board games that were his trademark.
I hope I am wrong - Elton is hardly a bust, rather an unfortunate hard-working player who more in the league should strive to emulate.
jeezer Said,
September 24, 2009 @ 11:14 am
everybody knows black men cant ball, darko for mvp in 2010!!!!!!!!!!!
Derrick Said,
September 24, 2009 @ 11:56 am
Brand is for sure an All-Star caliber player, but Philadelphia reached the playoffs the past two seasons mainly because they were a running team.
Now that Andre Miller is gone and that no one else is a real pg….who will get the ball down low to Elton? And what will Andre Igoudala and Thaddeus Young do when the ball is in Elton’s hands?
I think Philadelphia will not make the playoffs this year.
CFatz Said,
September 24, 2009 @ 12:16 pm
Brand is not a bust, An injury doesn’t make a player a bust, an inability to play at the professional level or a failure to translate someone’s college stats to pro-level success makes one a bust.
BRONX 2 PHILLY Said,
September 24, 2009 @ 1:17 pm
That’s what EB gets for backstabbing the Clips out west man. He aint squat and he aint gonna be squat for the rest of his career. He’s washed up and can’t stay healthy. The karma police is allover him. At least he got paid and him and his family is eating good.
He was a beast with the Clips, now he’s an over the hill aged big man. Way to go Sixers, way to spend your money wisely. I won’t be at any games this season that’s for sure.
georgej Said,
September 24, 2009 @ 3:56 pm
It’s the Duke curse all over again. Stop putting your hopes on a Dukie.
TW Said,
September 24, 2009 @ 8:08 pm
He’s what we have to work with. And you just never know with this team. They could be lousy or they could be very, very good. Let’s see where we are in February.
So I’m a dreamer….
Jumbob Said,
September 24, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
Ear me now, he is da blest damm playa named elton in da league and if ya dun wanna splice me namin balls dem check me radar cuz Brand is comin to scorr 60 pts per night with 23rpg and 300 blks. What you doubt rasta!?!?!?!? !!!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!? ELTON don’t trip on dees nugget head negroids I da champ BLA BLAHH
Pboy Said,
September 25, 2009 @ 4:08 am
I agree with Bronx. He should have just said the truth to the Clipper organization instead of lie. He also lied to Barron Davis about teaming up together that is the only reason he came over to the Clips. But now that the Clippers have the 1# pick I think the Clips have a chance to go to the playoffs than the sixers. The sixers made it to the playoffs mainly because of the running game they implemented; once they stop running their offense production stops especially Iguadala. Good luck sixers you need it.
Jumbob Said,
September 25, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
What u say to me Pboy, u wanna sick my duck?!??! How dare ya queeer BAIT yayaya joto no ya man
PA Kid Said,
September 25, 2009 @ 3:55 pm
Listen up, he don’t fit with the Sixers, it was a bad move from the start. Homeboy came for the cash and a chance to make the playoffs, he’s gettin cash, but he ain’t gettin no playoffs with this squad. Andre Miller is gone, and this team wants to run even more, plus Eddie Jordan teams don’t have any structure which is what EB needs.
Have fun watching the playoffs from home Sixers fans…. and EB.
Playoffs Said,
September 25, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
Palyoffs look like this in the East:
1. Orlando
2. Boston
3. Cleveland
4. CHICAGO
5. Toronto
6. Atlanta
7. Detroit
8. Washington / Charlotte / Indiana?
Going to take a miracle to the get the Sixers in to the playoffs. I just don’t see it.
Joey C Said,
September 25, 2009 @ 5:02 pm
I think they might be able to get that 8th spot… losing Andre Miller is a HUGE blow. Louis Williams isn’t a point guard and Elton Brand can’t run with the young guns.
There is no depth here either.
Pboy Said,
September 25, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
Jumbob u just plain stupid and I am already sucking your moms duck.
nwieder Said,
September 25, 2009 @ 8:47 pm
Good job on the editing/proofreading. not perfect but you don’t sound like a gumba anymore.
No one seems to think doing good work is important . It is. Excellence always pays off.
Good Luck
“His body fat, body weight is probably as good as it’s every(ever) been and as a doctor said to me,”
James Said,
September 26, 2009 @ 12:02 pm
If Elton Brand looks as good as many reports lead me to believe. We could win 50-55 games. The future is looking great.
Utah Jazz Blog Said,
September 26, 2009 @ 11:03 pm
I’ve always liked Brand and feel bad for his injury situation. I’d like to see him come back and have a good season this year. That said, Philly was incredibly stupid to give him the contract they did following a year in which he was injured.
J Said,
September 27, 2009 @ 8:25 pm
Brand has only play in playoff once in his whole career, that’s one out of ten. He is a 20 and 10 guy when healthy, but he is not a winner. you will never put him with Noviski, Duncan or Gannett, with his age, I don’t see him to get better or stay in all star level. He is simply not fit in Eddie Jordan and sixer’s system. Because he is not a fast player like Bosh, the sixers play small ball, but I am not sure if he can play at center at this age and size. But without him, the sixer will have zero inside present.
Joey C Said,
September 29, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
Even if they click and Brand miraculously fits in with their uptempo play, they still don’t have a point guard. Louis Williams isn’t a distributor. He’s a two guard trapped in an undersized point guard’s body.
9th in the East. Reality.
Chris T Said,
October 8, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
Elton is prob never gonna get back to his old form. If healthy he still can be good for 15ppg and 8rpg.