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Elton Brand News & Rumors

Brand's old school Chevy finally back in gear?
May 25
CSN Philly
 columnist John Gonzalez
"Elton Brand is a large man by almost any standard. The Sixers' forward is 6-foot-9, 254 pounds. It's hard to make someone that big disappear. That's what happened during the first four games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Celtics. Without the benefit of smoke and mirrors, Brand all but vanished. He averaged just 16 minutes, 4.3 points and 2.8 rebounds over that span. There are all sorts of theories about why that happened."
Brand will start despite struggles
May 19
Courier-Post
 
"It's no secret that Elton Brand has struggled in this series. But 76ers coach Doug Collins said he won't take the power forward out of the starting lineup. He said that's mostly out of respect for what Brand has done over his 13-season career. "I just think (Brand) deserves to start," Collins said. "He's one of our proudest players. I admire him and respect him to the ultimate. I'm not going to come in here, in a game like (Friday), and not have him in our starting lineup. I'm just not going to do that. I have too much respect for this game, for him, and what he's done for our team, and what he's done for this organization." Collins was quick to add, however, that he can pull Brand early."
Young, Brand hurting after Game 1 loss against Celtics
May 14
Courier-Post
 
"Game 1 was a painful one for Sixers forwards Thaddeus Young and Elton Brand in more ways than one. They were both listed on the injury report for tonight's Game 2, although both are expected to play. Young's shin was kneed by Boston's Ryan Hollins early in the second quarter, which caused his ankle to roll. Brand suffered from neck spasms, and didn't play over the final 20 minutes of the game, although both he and Sixers coach Doug Collins said the injury wasn't the reason. Lavoy Allen stepped in for Brand early in the third quarter and finished with 12 points and six rebounds. In addition, the Celtics went to a smaller lineup, which isn't a strength of Brand's."
Brand still proud of 1st team
May 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"Elton Brand remembers the frequent trips to Rush Street and late-night dinners at Gibsons alongside former teammate Randy Brown. He remembers the times spent relaxing inside his Lake Point Tower condo near Navy Pier. "Had a great view,'' Brand said. "It was only three rooms, because I was young. A guy like Sammy Sosa, he had a whole floor.'' If the Bulls had enjoyed more success 14 years ago, maybe Brand would have owned the city."
Brand key in Sixers' huge win over Hawks
April 1
CSN Philly
 
"If Friday night's loss in Washington was the worst defeat of the season, then the 95-90 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night was the most needed win of the season. After all, another loss could have sent the season spiraling out of control at the worst possible time of the season. Truth is, Sixers' coach Doug Collins says the loss against the lowly Wizards conjured up those old memories of the 3-13 start to last season. That was a dark and foreboding time that no one is interested in revisiting any time soon. But there were moments in Saturday night's game where it didn't seem as if the Sixers were going to find it in time. They trailed by six points"
Traditional role of NBA big man now a lost art
March 4
CSN Philly
 columnist John Finger
"Elton Brand walked out of the Sixers' locker room following Friday night's 105-83 victory over the Golden State Warriors with a ping pong ball-sized welt on his forehead. Call it a badge of honor from the 33-minutes and 14-points, 14-rebounds effort in the game. Actually, given the nicks, strains, sprains and scrapes Brand has endured this season, routine swelling on his face shouldn't be a surprise. After all, it's nothing more than the residual part of a man practicing a lost art in the modern NBA. In a sense, Brand's forehead, hands, thumb and legs are more cautionary tale for some and a warning for others. If you play basketball like Elton Brand, you better have a lot of courage. It"
Brand, Sixers happy to be back at practice
February 28
CSN Philly
 
"The Sixers reconvened as a team on Monday in Detroit after having a four-day break, which had to feel like heaven during this grueling season. They have 32 games left to play in their 66-game regular season, beginning with the Pistons on Tuesday night. They are mired in a five-game losing streak, tied with Boston for the longest such streak heading into the All-Star break. It is for that reason that the Sixers were actually happy to be practicing, especially Elton Brand, who had missed the last two games because of a sprained thumb on his shooting hand."
Veteran Brand will be integral in second half
February 24
CSN Philly
 
"When Elton Brand says he's hurt, you take his word for it. After all, the things that make Brand say, "Ouch," are enough to incapacitate a mere mortal. Brand is tough as they come and there is no need to look any further than the fact that he played through a nearly torn Achilles tendon during the latter parts of the 2008 season to get it. But that's not the half of it. Last spring during the playoff series against Miami, Brand walked around sporting four red horizontal scratches on the left side of his neck that looked as if the fresh finger prints from the culprit were still intact. A forensics team wouldn't have to do much to lift the prints in order to find out who they belonged to."
With injured thumb, Elton Brand takes one for team
February 10
CSN Philly
 
"There wasn't much Elton Brand could do and it wasn't like the bandage wrapped around his right thumb hid the problem. Playing with a strained thumb suffered when he got it caught in the jersey of one of the Miami Heat last Friday, Brand was a target. He knew it was coming. "That's par for the course," he said after a workout at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine on Thursday. "If it's to your advantage you have to go attack it." That's exactly what the San Antonio Spurs did. According to Sixers coach Doug Collins, players were aiming for Brand's thumb and though he grabbed 13 rebounds in the Sixers' 100-90 defeat, the thumb bothered the power forward. Against Miami, brand shot 0"
Sprained thumb keeps Elton Brand stuck on bench
February 7
Courier-Post
 
"Elton Brand missed his second straight game with a thumb sprain, but he hopes to return for the Sixers' game Wednesday. Brand hurt his thumb Friday against the Miami Heat in the first quarter. He kept playing, although it clearly affected him as he missed all three of his shots and didn't score. Brand, who didn't mention the injury after the game, said he had hoped to play Monday against the Lakers. But Sixers coach Doug Collins didn't want Brand to make it worse."
Hawes back against Hawks, Brand inactive
February 5
CSN Philly
 
"After missing 10 straight games, Spencer Hawes declared himself ready to play on Saturday night against the Hawks at Philips Arena. "I'm in," Hawes said. "I'm gonna go." The Sixers' starting center has not appeared in a game since Jan. 16, when he scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 33 minutes against Milwaukee. In Saturday night's game, Hawes says he will try a different pair of shoes (style, not model) though admits that might just be mental. It was during that game against Milwaukee where Hawes strained his Achilles tendon, something he thought was related to the lower back strain that sidelined him against the Knicks on Jan. 11."
Brand held scoreless in Sixers' defeat
February 4
CSN Philly
 
"At the very least, Elton Brand keeps things in perspective. Now into his 13th season in the NBA, the Sixers' veteran power forward doesn't need the superficial things to make him happy. For instance, once there was a time where he was expected to shoot the ball 20 times a night, score 25 points and grab 10 rebounds. For Brand, that was an average night. This year those days are few and far between. This season Brand has topped 20 points just once in 23 games and has scored fewer than 10 points nine times. And you know what? That's fine by Brand. "I don't have that ego," Brand said a few weeks back. "I have the drive to win and do the best I can, but if I see someone else doing something"
Veteran Brand trying to find his rhythm
January 23
CSN Philly
 
"Those 15- to 20-foot shots that look as if they scrape the orange paint front of the rim tell a lot about Elton Brand. Typically, if the veteran All-Star has an inch to squeeze off a shot from the top of the key, the only rebound will be the one the opponent pulls from the net. But lately those shots have been used to pad rebounding stats. Brand is a 50 percent shooter from the floor during his 13-year career -- 51 percent last year -- but he is down to 47.7 percent this year. Only through one 37-game stretch between 2007 and 2009 did Brand shoot a lower percentage than he has this year."
Brand's young son survives allergic reaction
December 31
CSN Philly
 
"Elton Brand had four points, nine rebounds and two steals in the win against the Suns on Wednesday. That he was able to concentrate at all was impressive because prior to the game he learned that his three-year-old son, Elton Peace Brand, was taken by ambulance to the hospital after having an allergic reaction to a dairy product. Brand and his wife were aware that their son was allergic to dairy, only his wife, Shahara, thought she was giving her son sorbet. It was only when his lips turned blue and he was struggling to breathe that Shahara called 911, realizing the product was an ice cream."
Sixers' Brand ready to play more minutes
December 19
CSN Philly
 
"Last season was a particularly tough one for Elton Brand. No, he didn't perform poorly on the court, in fact, far from it. Brand led the Sixers in scoring and rebounding in 2010-11 in what could be termed as a bounce-back season following three years of fighting injuries. Since 2008, Brand has ruptured his Achilles, had shoulder surgery and dislocated a couple fingers. Oh sure, injuries still gave Brand fits during the last month of the season, too. In the season's waning stretch, Brand had a stomach virus, a dislocated finger on his left hand and a broken right hand — the one he shoots with."
Fit Brand ready to carry the load for Sixers
December 6
CSN Philly
 
"One by one, the Sixers' signed players have been trickling into the team's practice facility in preparation of the abbreviated training camp that is expected to start with training camp on Friday. The Sixers' oldest player, 32-year old Elton Brand, arrived at PCOM Monday morning wearing a suit jacket, looking more prepared for a business engagement than a pickup game. Still, rest assured Brand is good to go for camp, as well as the 66-game season that will follow with the Sixers' first game likely to take place the day after Christmas."
Brand organizes workouts with Sixers teammates
August 20
CSN Philly
 
"Lockout or not, Elton Brand is set to play basketball with his Philadelphia 76ers teammates. Brand helped organize a team workout scheduled for next week in Los Angeles and most of the key Sixers have told him they will attend. Andre Iguodala, Evan Turner, Lou Williams and others will fly in, share a hotel, play and work out together and do what they can to get ready for the season. Whenever that starts, no one is quite sure. "I can't wait to see where the guys are at," Brand said. "I've been talking to them all summer. They seem to be in shape already in case we get this thing going." The lingering, messy lockout has thrown doubt that training camp and the regular season will start on"
Brand, Iguodala stepped up in Sixers' last stand
April 28
Philly.com
 
"Throughout the playoffs, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and his players lauded the young talent of the 76ers and rightly so. But on a night when the Sixers' season ended, it was the old faction of the starting five that led another effort that fell just short. The Heat eliminated the Sixers, 97-91, in Game 5 at AmericanAirlines Arena. The Sixers lost the opening-round series, four games to one. On this night, while staring elimination squarely in the face, it was 32-year-old Elton Brand in the first half and 27-year-old Andre Iguodala in the second who were the keys for the Sixers. Brand scored 14 of his 22 points in the first half. Iguodala scored 18 of his 22 in the second. They were"
Collins to Brand: I love you, man
April 28
Philly.com
 
"With 9.3 seconds remaining in last night's season-ending, 97-91 loss to the Miami Heat, 76ers forward Elton Brand made his way toward the bench after picking up his sixth foul. He was intercepted by coach Doug Collins, who appeared to say to Brand, among other things, "I love you to death." That is the kind of emotion you get from Collins, a man who wears his heart on his sleeve, along with his grandchildren's names tattooed over his heart. "I told him I loved him and that I was so proud of him," Collins said. "What a great year it was for him, after going through 2 tough years in Philadelphia. He's got the heart of a lion. He just competes every single moment and I'm glad he's on my team."
Frontcourt duo's play not enough in loss
April 22
Wilmington News Journal
 
"Elton Brand's first playoff double-double in almost five years helped the Sixers' frontcourt hold its own against the Heat -- at least from the offensive side. But the extra scoring punch wasn't enough to get them past the Heat. And at this point, it's fair to wonder if they've got enough to get there. Brand and center Spencer Hawes, neither nearly as effective in the two losses in Miami as they were Thursday night, came home and combined for 33 points and 17 rebounds to give the Sixers some much-needed inside presence. The overall results weren't any different, though, as the Heat pulled to a 3-0 series lead in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. "EB [Elton Brand] was"
Brand has been a good soldier for the Sixers
April 20
Philly.com
 
"FOLLOWING yesterday's practice at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 76ers forward Elton Brand wore a huge bag of ice around the back of his left hand and a menacing scowl on his face. He certainly is not happy how this opening-round Eastern Conference playoff series with the Miami Heat has progressed. In the 21-point blowout in Game 2, Brand scored only three points, his lone field goal in five attempts coming on a goaltending call. His normal work station, that area 10 to 15 feet from the basket, was pushed to an uncomfortable location farther out, leaving Brand virtually nonexistent at the offensive end. Brand, however, will correct that for Game 3. It's his way. He fights"
After trying to sign Elton Brand (twice), the Heat try to stop him
April 18
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Elton Brand laughed softly at the question. Yes, the Philadelphia 76ers' power forward said, he has considered the personal irony of this first-round playoff matchup. "That's kind of weird," Brand said Sunday. "I thought about that coming down here." The Miami Heat went after Brand not once but twice — the first time harder than the second — and came away empty each time. Considering what eventually happened in the aftermath of both pursuits, those temporary disappointments have to be considered among the most fortuitous failures in franchise history. The first time was in the summer of 2003, soon after Dwyane Wade was drafted. The Heat signed Brand, the former No. 1 overall pick out of"
Brand playing with a fracture in non-shooting hand
April 6
Philly.com
 
"76ers power forward Elton Brand has played the last month with a fracture in his left hand. Brand injured his non-shooting hand against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 9. Until Tuesday, the extent of the injury was unknown. Brand has not missed a game with the injury and said before Tuesday night's game against the Boston Celtics that he didn't expect that to change. Part of the reason for concealing the fracture was to keep opposing teams from targeting the injury to take advantage. "I feel I've been playing OK with it, and it's not a big deal," Brand said. "It's ironic we have Boston and then the Knicks [on Wednesday], and this comes out. As long as somebody doesn't bang it, it will"
Brand playing through 'minor fracture' in left hand
April 6
Philly.com
 
"The injury hits just keep coming for the 76ers, though this latest one actually occurred nearly a month ago. Following an overtime loss to Oklahoma City on March 9, coach Doug Collins said forward Elton Brand had been "karate chopped" on the back of his left hand. The hand was noticeably swollen the next few days and Brand temporarily wore protective padding. Turns out Brand suffered a "very minor fracture" to the hand, a team source said. Though it has been bothersome, especially when you consider he has dislocated the pinkie on his right hand twice this season, Brand has pushed forward and says that is what he will continue to do. "It's been the same. It is what it is," Brand said with a"
Elton Brand is playing with hand fracture
April 5
New York Times
 
"Elton Brand, who is experiencing a resurgent season with the surprising Philadelphia 76ers, has played nearly a month with a fracture in his left hand. The fracture was originally disclosed as an injury that would not prohibit Brand from playing, apparently out of concern that some opposing players might target the hand if they knew it was fractured. Brand has continued to play through the injury with the 76ers still vying for playoff positioning. "It still bothers him," Rod Thorn, Philadelphia's president, said in a telephone call Monday night. "He's had trouble for the last month trying to catch balls. There's no complaints about it from him. He keeps playing. His confidence, his"
Doug Collins: Brand's "hands are bashed up"
March 28
Philly.com
 (scroll down)
"Elton Brand suffered a dislocated right little finger on Feb. 27 at Cleveland. The 76ers forward later hurt his left hand as well, but he has not missed any games because of the injuries. Coach Doug Collins acknowledged after Sunday's 114-111 overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings that the injuries could be bothering Brand, who had 15 points and three rebounds in more than 39 minutes."
Brand's work ethic epitomizes Collins' vision for Sixers
March 21
Philly.com
 
"More than wins and losses, what Doug Collins looked for from his team at the beginning of the season was growth. He wanted the Sixers to become better basketball players individually, then as a team. He wanted his players to believe in themselves, then each other. Once all that was established, the coach thought, improvement certainly would be a byproduct. To almost every player on the 76ers, that has happened, and after completing a tough five-game road trip with a 2-3 record, the team now stands at 36-34, in a dogfight with the New York Knicks for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and an outside possibility of catching the Atlanta Hawks (40-30), whom they host on Wednesday, for"
Brand: "It was an 'OK' trip"
March 20
Philly.com
 
"Basically, the 76ers salvaged this road trip. With the way it began, it looked like a possibly disastrous five-game swing. Instead, the Sixers began playing good basketball, won two in a row over the Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings, and then came into tonight's game at the Rose Garden undermanned and, quite frankly, needing some serious inspiration to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers. The team needed to give Andre Iguodala (right knee tendinitis) the night off -- it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. So if the Sixers were going to steal this game, they would need a strong, strong performance from Evan Turner (who started in Iguodala's place) and strong performances from"
Brand calls Rose's comment "ignorant"
March 18
Philly.com
 
"There's a lot of context around the recent ESPN documentary of Michigan's Fab Five, which aired Sunday. The documentary itself is riveting, but it seems to have taken on a life of its own with the comments from Fab Five member, Jalen Rose, who currently works as an ESPN analyst. (Also of note, Rose was an executive producer on the documentary.) If you don't have any background on this, basically here is your Cliff's Notes: ESPN aired a documentary about how Michigan's Fab Five influenced the culture -- basketball and otherwise -- during their time at Michigan in the early 90's. Rose's comment within the documentary is as follows: "I hated Duke and I hated everything Duke stood for. Schools"
Sixers' injuries: How about a hand for Brand and a knee for Dre?
March 16
Philly.com
 
"When he looks at the long haul that is the NBA season, 76ers coach Doug Collins has often commented on the importance of his two veteran leaders and warriors, Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand. With just 15 games left in the regular season, Collins is going to have to go forward with two wounded warriors. Following Monday's 112-107 overtime loss at Utah, it was revealed that Iguodala was suffering from chondromalacia, an irritation of the cartilage below the kneecap. It is the same injury that has kept Chase Utley out of the Phillies' lineup throughout spring training. Iguodala doesn't seem to think he is going to be shelved like Utley. "It started probably a couple of weeks ago," Iguodala"
Brand plays on despite injury
March 10
Philly.com
 
"Elton Brand is getting used to playing with a splint on his dislocated right little finger, but that doesn't mean the 76ers forward likes the situation. Brand hurt his finger in a Feb. 27 game in Cleveland and dislocated it again in the next game, March 1, against Dallas. He has been wearing a splint, which he doesn't like, but he realizes it is a necessity. "I've adjusted to it," Brand said after Tuesday's 110-100 win at Indiana. "I think I'm playing well, having shot 50 percent in my last three to four games and rebounding pretty well, so it's not a big deal." Entering Wednesday's home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Brand had made 21 of 40 shots in his previous three outings."
Brand OK with lineup change
March 7
Courier-Post
 
"Elton Brand came out with 5:57 left in the fourth quarter and didn't return for the rest of regulation, or for overtime in the 76ers' 125-117 win over Golden State on Sunday. Brand, who leads the team in scoring (15.3 points per game) and rebounding (8.6), was subbed just three minutes into the third quarter as well. Sixers coach Doug Collins said it was a difficult game for Brand against the small and fast Warriors. Yet Collins said when he came back into the locker room, Brand was the first player to greet him. He gave Collins a hug and said: "I'm all about winning, great job," Collins said. "That's what we're trying to build here." Brand finished with 12 points and five rebounds in 29"
Brand insists finger is fine
March 4
Philly.com
 
"Even though he has dislocated his right pinkie finger in each of the last two games, Elton Brand insists that all is fine. Brand did concede there is some pain. Being out of the lineup would cause him more distress. When asked after Thursday's practice if it bothers his shooting, Brand said, "A little bit but it's the pinkie. I have definitely adjusted to it." Brand says there is more pain when he has to catch the ball. And it's a real pain wearing a split, but it beats the alternative - being sidelined. One could tell that Brand didn't want to talk much about his injury as he tried to shrug things off. Coach Doug Collins admitted more concern, but then praised Brand for his toughness."
Brand and Vick have shown resiliency, for different reasons, in ways Woods and Iverson haven't
February 15
Philly.com
 columnist Ashley Fox
"The bounce-back. It is a delicate, tricky thing, and elite athletes often find that it is much harder than it looks. Just take a look at Tiger Woods. Invincible one moment, then everything crashes. His car, his marriage, his reputation, his game, his confidence. It is tough to shove those elements back into the bottle. So he shoots a 75 on a Sunday. Unthinkable two years ago. That is why what Elton Brand is doing this season is so remarkable. Brand has been in basketball purgatory ever since he arrived in Philadelphia in the summer of 2008. First he blew out his shoulder and missed the majority of his first season here. Then, in a much more damaging blow, Eddie Jordan sent Brand into his"
With Sixers going strong, Iguodala, Brand off the market
January 25
SportingNews.com
 
"When the Sixers started off the season 3-13, it appeared the franchise was headed for another high draft position and would have to begin peddling assets in order to speed up the rebuilding process. Several teams -- including Cleveland and Houston -- inquired about swingman Andre Iguodala, and the Sixers were considering peddling Elton Brand, too. Those are the two biggest contracts on the payroll. With a win over the Suns on Monday, though, the Sixers moved to 16-12 since that rough start. New coach Doug Collins has been consistent all year in his desire to play to win, rather than playing young guys and seeing how they develop. He took some criticism for not playing No. 2 overall pick"
Holiday, Brand have been fresh for Sixers
December 29
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"In Monday's 110-95 loss at Golden State, the Sixers tried to run with legs that appeared about as strong as wet noodles, which is not a very good thing when you're playing against an explosive, fast offensive team like the Warriors. The reasons for the rubbery legs were quite simple. The team had 2 days off before getting back together for a Christmas night practice in Denver. They got a hard-fought win the next night against the Nuggets, then faced Golden State with a shorthanded crew, as Lou Williams was in Philadelphia for the birth of his first child and Andre Iguodala pulled up lame just before the game with recurring tendinitis in his right Achilles'. Also, swingman Jason Kapono was"
Brand proving to be Sixers' 'warhorse' this season
December 21
Philly.com
 
"He isn't the Elton Brand most 76ers fans thought they were getting. He isn't the 20-point, 10-rebound power forward that is leading them to the glory-filled promised land. But through 27 games this season, Brand has been much better than he's ever been as a Sixer, a guy providing reliable scoring and a bruising inside presence for a team that is playing much better than expected. This season, Brand is averaging 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and is shooting 51.3 percent from the floor. Excluding the year he played only eight games and tore his Achilles tendon, those are Brand's highest numbers since the 2006-07 season with the Los Angeles Clippers. Brand signed with the Sixers in July of 2008"
Watching the 76ers play gave Elton Brand perspective
November 27
Philly.com
 
"Power forward Elton Brand watched the 76ers' 106-90 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night with his mother. Brand, who was suspended one game by the NBA for his flagrant foul against Washington's JaVale McGee, was in Toronto with his team, but per league rules was not allowed into the Air Canada Centre. "My mom was in town, so we actually watched the game together," Brand said before Friday night's game against the Miami Heat. On Friday, Brand returned to the Sixers' starting lineup. Brand said he noticed a few things about his team's play from watching them on TV: the movement of the ball, missed box-outs, defensive rotations. "It's human nature to want to be needed, but we're not"
NBA suspends 76ers' Brand one game for flagrant foul
November 25
Philly.com
 
"As Elton Brand was being escorted from the Verizon Center court, the opponent he had just flagrantly fouled, Washington Wizards center JaVale McGee, lay on his stomach, watching Brand go. From that position, a smiling McGee waved goodbye. As it turns out, McGee was waving goodbye to Brand not just for the remainder of Tuesday's game, but for Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors as well. Early Wednesday afternoon, the NBA announced that Brand would be suspended for one game without pay for his flagrant foul, penalty two, against McGee. Brand served the one-game suspension Wednesday night. "Just sort of another day on the 76ers right now," coach Doug Collins said before Wednesday's"
Brand's biggest contribution to Sixers could come in a trade
November 14
Wilmington News Journal
 
"When Elton Brand signed with the 76ers, the expectations were for him to score about 20 points and grab about 10 rebounds per game. It didn't happen through his first two seasons with the Sixers, as Brand quickly was labeled an injury-prone bust. He bottomed out last season, averaging career lows of 13.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Yet here Brand is this season, averaging 17.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He's much more active on both offense and defense, and he's becoming more of a vocal leader on a team that desperately needs it. The Sixers would have been ecstatic with those numbers his first two seasons. That would have made him the low-post presence the Sixers needed to"
Forward finally doing what 76ers had hoped G ive Brand some credit
November 14
Courier-Post
 
"When Elton Brand signed with the Sixers in the summer of 2008, the expectations were for him to score about 20 points and grab about 10 rebounds per game. It didn't happen through his first two seasons with the Sixers, and Brand quickly was labeled an injury-prone bust. He bottomed out last season, averaging career lows with 13.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Yet here Brand is through the early part of this season, averaging 17.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He's much more active both on offense and defense, and he's becoming more of a vocal leader on a team that desperately needs it. The Sixers would have been ecstatic with those numbers his first two seasons. That would have"
Brand, Sixers finally earn win
November 4
Courier-Post
 
"This is how the Sixers had hoped they would win games, with Elton Brand scoring and rebounding inside, the defense shutting down an opponent and the offense getting contributions from just about everyone. The only part that didn't go according to plan was when Sixers coach Doug Collins didn't return for the second half after suffering a bout of vertigo. By then, the Sixers had a 26-point lead over the Indiana Pacers and cruised to a 101-75 win Wednesday, their first of the season after four straight losses. Afterward, Collins said he wasn't taking his medication on game days because it made him too tired. The Sixers were playing their second game in as many days, and it had an effect --"
Collins says Sixers' Brand can play big at center
October 12
Philly.com
 
"For anyone clamoring for the 76ers to bolster their frontcourt so they can set better screens, coach Doug Collins has two words: John Stockton. Collins used the Utah Jazz's Hall-of-Fame guard as an example Monday, saying Stockton is "one of the best screeners in NBA history. "So, I don't think you have to be some big guy to set screens. I think you have to be willing to go down and put your body on somebody, and that's what we've been emphasizing. We have to help each other get open." Of course, it would help to have someone the size of Shaquille O'Neal, Boston's 7-foot-1 center, Collins noted. But in Tuesday night's home exhibition against the Celtics, the Sixers will have to make do with"
Brand's loss is the Sixers' gain
September 30
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"After yesterday's morning workout on the second day of training camp at Saint Joseph's, forward Thad Young walked across the court with a Twizzler in his mouth and another in his hand. He didn't get the candy from teammate Elton Brand. Brand has sworn off the treats. And fried food. And a lot of other goodies that would add to his waist line. Brand reported to training camp more than 10 pounds lighter than the 265 he carried last season. Now 31 and entering his 12th NBA season, Brand knew after last year's disappointing run that changes were needed. "It was funny, coach [Doug Collins] told me the number [weight of 255] and I'm like, 'I don't know if I could do it,' and I was already under"
Sixers' Collins to visit Brand
July 26
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Doug Collins and 76ers assistant coach Quin Snyder are expecting to visit with Sixers power forward Elton Brand sometime in the next several days. Previous attempts to meet with Brand were canceled because of scheduling situations. "I want Elton to feel the love of the game again," Collins said yesterday from San Diego, where he maintains a residence. "He doesn't have to be an All-Star, but he can be a winning player. He can do that." Brand, a two-time All-Star, has spent the last two seasons with the Sixers while still rehabbing from Achilles' tendon surgery and shoulder surgery. Snyder, a former Duke star, was involved in the recruiting of Brand to the Blue Devils. "I know from personal"
Sammy trade affects Brand most
June 18
Philly.com
 
"New 76ers coach Doug Collins said Thursday's trade of Samuel Dalembert to the Sacramento Kings changed the team dynamic for Elton Brand. Dalembert, a 6-foot-11 center was sent to the Kings for 7-1 center Spencer Hawes and 6-7 combo forward Andres Nocioni, pending physicals. "I was thinking I had to play Elton Brand strictly as a five [center], because I just didn't think he and Sam played well together," Collins said Friday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. "Now, I feel Elton can play with Hawes. I think he can play with [Marreese] Speights. So it changes the dynamics of that." Collins added that the trade gives the Sixers a bigger lineup that he's more comfortable with."
Collins to meet with Brand after draft
June 14
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"As it should, family came first. There was no meeting yesterday between new 76ers coach Doug Collins and forward Elton Brand because Collins and his wife, Kathy, were celebrating their 37th wedding anniversary. Collins has said that he wanted to meet with Brand to talk about how he will use the 6-9 big man next season. Both sides said yesterday that there will be a meeting, but not until after the NBA draft, on June 24. The Sixers have the second pick in the draft and are expected to select 6-7 Ohio State swingman Evan Turner."
Brand excited about Collins as new coach
May 22
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Elton Brand believes the 76ers are closer to the 41-win team of 2008-09 than the 27-win team of last season.The power forward also believes the Sixers made a strong choice in naming Doug Collins as the coaching successor to Eddie Jordan."I'm excited," Brand said yesterday. "I don't know much directly about him, but I've followed his career as a coach and as an analyst. I know he knows the game."
Brand and Dalembert not happy with playing time
April 7
Courier-Post
 (scroll down)
"Jordan limited the minutes for several of his starters, including Elton Brand and Samuel Dalembert. Brand had a subpar game again with two rebounds in 12 minutes. In last Saturday's 128-123 overtime loss to Toronto, Brand went without a rebound for the first time in 713 career games. Dalembert (12 minutes) and Brand were criticized for their effort and defense by Jordan after the game."