Comments on: Elton Brand Returns for 8-game ‘Try-out’ http://www.reclinergm.com/elton-brand-returns-for-8-game-%e2%80%98try-out/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:41:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2 By: fouledout http://www.reclinergm.com/elton-brand-returns-for-8-game-%e2%80%98try-out/#comment-794 fouledout Wed, 09 Apr 2008 07:33:54 +0000 http://www.reclinergm.com/elton-brand-returns-for-8-game-%e2%80%98try-out/#comment-794 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. 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.

]]> By: Dave T http://www.reclinergm.com/elton-brand-returns-for-8-game-%e2%80%98try-out/#comment-756 Dave T Sun, 06 Apr 2008 17:27:09 +0000 http://www.reclinergm.com/elton-brand-returns-for-8-game-%e2%80%98try-out/#comment-756 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. 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.

]]> By: Dannie http://www.reclinergm.com/elton-brand-returns-for-8-game-%e2%80%98try-out/#comment-754 Dannie Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:30:26 +0000 http://www.reclinergm.com/elton-brand-returns-for-8-game-%e2%80%98try-out/#comment-754 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? 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?

]]> By: Dave T http://www.reclinergm.com/elton-brand-returns-for-8-game-%e2%80%98try-out/#comment-753 Dave T Sun, 06 Apr 2008 02:28:48 +0000 http://www.reclinergm.com/elton-brand-returns-for-8-game-%e2%80%98try-out/#comment-753 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. 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.

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