I second your Brand concerns.  Both are still in question.  Being fit is one thing; playing ball well is another.  And, of course, his pre-season talk is easy - and sometimes happy gibberish.  He should get close to his career numbers if he stays healthy and on court for 35-38 but I wonder about the efficiency and true impact of his total game.  Can he impose on seriously resistant opponents, i.e. Celts, on both ends of court?  I don’t think so but look forward to soon finding out.  Capable of occasional strong games but “over the hill” or “on the fade” is my general thinking on him.  

Well, hopefully Brand shows the ability to score in traffic this season which was my biggest concern with him last year.  AND prove he isn’t as turnover prone when pressured as he looked last season as well.

Two biggies for me with Brand.

You see DeRozan fake interest in helping Reggie?  You can see freeze the second he realizes he may take a charge from Elton, which I would imagine, is a lot like taking a charge Brian Urlacher.

Def. a nice play by Elton…an underrated trait of his has always been his handle.  For a big man, he has great dribbling skill.  I remember in his Duke days seeing old footage of him and Shane Battier goofing off playing one on one and being surprised at how many times Elton shook him with a pretty looking crossover facing the basket.