Elton Brand took his surgically repaired Achilles tendon to court Wednesday playing in his first game of the season for the Clippers. And he looked good. Scoring 19-points, grabbing 5 boards in 26 minutes of action. He followed that performance up with a 15 point, 9 rebound and 2 block game on Thursday. I hope Ed Stefanski is keeping a close watch. Brand is, without a doubt, the player most, if not all, 76er fans have been targeting as the one they want Stefanski to make a strong push for this summer.
I think it’s safe to state as fact that the Sixers’ biggest weakness is at power forward. The three main options on the market after this season are Elton Brand, Antwawn Jamison and Josh Smith. Brand, for obvious reasons, would be the ideal choice. As with any player that has a major injury to a lower extremity, the question remains of whether will he return to all-star form.
With that in mind these last 7 games will serve as “pre-free agent” workouts to show the Clippers, as well as rest of the league, that he is healthy. Essentially saying “I’m good to go, so get your check books ready.” The Clippers are 29 games below .500, and there is no reason for him to play other than that.
This is a clear risk vs. reward proposition. If Brand gets hurt it would be a tragedy and at 29-years old, most certainly end any thought of getting a huge long-term deal. And for what? Not the ultimate prize – a chance to compete for an NBA championship. I know all the Clipper fans are thinking exactly that. They want him healthy for next season and multiple years in the future. These last 8 games mean nothing.
On the other hand, from Brand’s standpoint he obviously doesn’t want to get hurt and miss his chance at the contract he deserves. But Brand also wants to prove he can perform at the same level he did before the injury, and the best way to do that is in a live game. Sure, individual workouts with teams would suffice, but by coming back and playing great, he will have the leverage to demand as much money as he wants. At his age, skill set for a big man and proven track record, Elton Brand is a HOT commodity and the most coveted FA this summer.
So Ed, we hope you’re paying attention. We want this guy – get it done.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Danny, great post about Brand. Unfortunately, I don’t think it will matter too much, as I doubt he’s going to opt out of his contract, and even if he did, I think it would be to resign with the Clippers for a long term extension. Some reasons why he would and wouldn’t leave LA:
Wouldn’t leave:
1. Could be potentially part of the best PF/C combo in the NBA with a healthy Brand/Kaman. That is one hell of an intimidating frontcourt.
2. Gets to play with what should be a (finally) healthy and recovered Shaun Livingston, who still has the chance to be a special PG in the NBA.
3. Al Thornton has just made Corey Maggette completely expendable, allowing them to trade Corey for other backcourt assets (aka: backcourt scoring).
4. Most players love the sunny weather, beach, and nightlife of LA.
5. There have been numerous reports, that I don’t think is just smoke screen, about how Brand wants to remain a Clipper and bring the team back to respectability.
Would leave:
1. Sixers are an up and coming young team, and he would be the perfect go-to-guy fit for us.
2. We are a bunch of bucket and pail workers, matching his style of play.
3. Has played with, and has a good relationship with, Andre Miller before.
4. Would probably immediately establish the Sixers as the 3rd – 4th best team in the East, and 2nd – 3rd once Detroit ages a bit more.
5. Would allow him to leave the gauntlet bloodbath that is the top 9 seeds (10 next year with a healthy Oden) of the Western Conference.
Dave – I completely agree with you. I have heard he likes LA and is likely to return. But I am a big believer that money talks in the NBA. I am not sure what the Clippers financial situation looks like right now but if the Sixers are able to throw out a number the Clip can’t match I think he would be ours. Especially when you factor in the points you mentioned above.
Are you willing to let Lou Williams walk to free up some extra cap space for Brand?
Danny, I’m with ya big time on the “money talks” thing…but I also think that’s a major reason why we can’t land him.
We can offer him a 5 year deal at about 12-13 million per tops. Now he makes (I think) around the 16 million per…and the Clippers have the cap flexibility to resign him for that, or a bit lower in the 14-15 range. His salary matches Shawn Marion’s, ‘99 draft guys that in the last year of their current max deal are paid 16-17 mill, that are 30 years old and will take a slight pay cut for an extension.
Even worse is the fact that this FA class is garbage for big men needs after Brand…Jamison is a lock to resign with the Wiz (I’m in DC, no way he’s not there next season), and there are decent but not marque big men after that. Although I think if we had a shot at prying Chris Wilcox away from Seattle, that might be something to pursue.
This is why our draft is HUGELY important this year…and why it’ll probably come down to Anthony Randolph (who I love), Darrell Arthur or Richard Hendrix for the best big men available in the mid-1st round.
As for Lou Williams…I’d let him walk in a HEARTBEAT if we can land Brand. I really don’t see the big deal about Lou. He’s very talented, and will be a great sparkplug scorer/combo guard off the bench, like a poor man’s Monte Ellis and Barbosa. But I just don’t ever see him being a starter, and to give up bench scoring for a 20-10 all star with amazing defense is a no brainer for me.
I really think all this cap space talk is basically going to lead up to a giant strike out in the FA crop, over paying Iguodala and Lou, and signing a good but not great veteran big to put in our rotation (Jeff Foster or someone similar)…to go along with our big man and backup PG draft choices.
thornton’s production is going down after elton brand’s return. this is nothing unexpected, brand is still the main big guy in clippers. it’s just a good thing that thornton showcased his skills and made a name for himself.