Elton Brand Hurt In Loss To Lakers

The move to Philly just hasn't been what Elton Brand had hoped it would be over the summer.

Not only are the 76ers struggling to find that team chemistry that would make them a force in the East, but EB's numbers haven't been exactly on par with his past several years.

The reasons for the drop could be numerous--new team, new system, new achilles. Whatever the reason, I would tend to think Brand has thought to himself a few times how things would be different if he was still in LA with the Clippers.

So, as if all the above wasn't bad enough, comes this bit of news from The Philadelpia Inquirer:

While (Kobe) Bryant provided the superstar tension last night, the Sixers' main man - Brand - strained his hamstring midway through the fourth quarter, according to the team.

Brand quietly disappeared to the end of the bench with a towel around his neck. Although the team said he was hurt in the fourth period, he sat from the 4-minute, 49-second mark of the third quarter until the end of the game.

Brand will be evaluated today, the team said. He finished with three points on 1-for-7 shooting.

Here's hoping EB has another speedy and successful recovery.

Clippers Media Day

Clippers Media Day seemed to have even more optimism than in most years. Maybe it was because there are so many new players on the team (10 total), that not enough of them have firsthand knowledge of the most recent disappointments.

The first thing that stood out to me today was the team's practice facility. It is simply spectacular. Mike Dunleavy even went as far to tell me that "It's the best in the league." I personally haven't seen every NBA team's practice facility, so I guess I will have to take his word for it. However, on first impression, I think it would be hard to prove Dunleavy wrong.

I talked to Dunleavy for several minutes as he signed what appeared to be about 300+ brand new balls for sponsors and season ticket holders. The first thing I asked him pertained to his expectations for the season. With so many new players, I would think he would need about 15-20 games just to see what he really has. However, Dunleavy believes this team should be an even better defensive team than the one that a couple of years ago was among the tops in the league.

He wouldn't say for sure that he had a playoff team on his hands, but he did say he would be very surprised if they were not in playoff contention all the way through April.

You can also expect this team to get up and down the floor a lot more than in season's past. Dunleavy tried to implement that strategy last season, but he said he didn't really have the personnel to carry it throughout the season. This season, however, is different because that style of play not only suits Baron Davis, but the Clippers have more finishers in transition in Cuttino Mobley, Al Thornton, and Ricky Davis.

Speaking of Baron Davis, he was the life of the party today. And believe me when I say, if there's one thing a media day needs, it's some life. Basically, the guys are paraded from station to station taking pictures and reciting lines into cameras. Davis was bouncing around like it was the first day of school. One other observation: he's in GREAT shape. He told me that he spent all summer working out in Las Vegas to get ready for the season. And considering how much the Clippers season is relying on his health, that was a great idea.

Marcus Camby told me that he is officially over the shock of getting traded from the Nuggets to the Clippers, and he's looking forward to starting a new chapter in his NBA career--one that includes 4 different teams. Camby was also very optimistic about the team's chances, but still wanted to hold off on making any proclamations until the team at least went through a full training camp.

And believe it or not, despite the loss of Elton Brand and Corey Maggette and the addition of 10 new players on the roster, one Clipper official told me that the team will actually be more competitive than if the team had retained Brand and Maggette and paired them with Davis. The thought being that not only will the team have more scoring options, especially from the perimeter, but that the locker room will be better as well.

For as great a player and person EB is, he is simply not very vocal in the locker room. Those in the organization believe that if Brand had spoken up at different times in the past, the team would have had greater success. Now, I don't feel as if the Clippers blame Brand for their recent disappointments, but the idea is that the team's best and highest paid player should be as much of a leader in the locker room as he is on the court.

For those of you wondering what happened to Shaun Livingston, here's the deal. The Clippers actually offered him a guaranteed 2-year contract, with a player option for the second year. However, Livingston and his agent thought they could get more money from another team (Portland had been the rumored destination). But as we enter NBA training camp, Livingston is faced with having to earn a roster spot.

And another issue for Livingston will be the loss of his Larry Bird Rights. The simplest explanation is this: If Livingston had signed with the Clippers this season and they traded him, they would have traded his Bird rights as well. But without those Bird Rights, the most Livingston could sign for would be $5 million a year as opposed to $11 million if he had retained his Bird Rights. And to remind you of how valuable a player's Bird Rights are, think back to when Devean George would not give up his Bird Rights when the Mavericks were trying to make the trade for Jason Kidd.

Quinton Ross also turned down a guaranteed deal because he and his agent believed they could secure more money. When that money did not surface, Q was forced to take a non-guaranteed deal with the Grizzlies and go to camp playing for a roster spot yet again.

The Clippers open the season Wednesday, October 29th against the Lakers.

No One Is Putting Blame On Sterling's Shoulders

Mark Heisler wrote a column for today's LA Times basically echoing my earlier post here about Clippers Owner Donald Sterling not being responsible for the departure of Elton Brand. JA Adande also posted a similar take on espn.com.

But I will say this: if bad things keep happening to you, maybe it's something you are doing elsewhere that is leading to such bad luck. The Clippers have been notoriously frugal in their spending habits when it comes to coaches, players, front office personnel, and staff-- although the salaries for the coaches and players have gone up exponentially as of late. But sometimes, it takes a long time to live down your reputation.

But at least Mr. Sterling is trying!

Mark Heisler, LA Times

Gee, why do these things keep happening to the Clippers?

I know what you're thinking, but they didn't lose Elton Brand because owner Donald T. Sterling couldn't be reached or wouldn't come up with the money.

It looks as if they lost Brand because he wanted out, which came as a shock since he always seemed true Clippers red, white and blue.

On the other hand, Brand was a Clipper for seven seasons so even if it was the best time in their history, think how many bad days he saw as opposed to good days.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-heisler9-2008jul09,0,1486527.column

Click here to see what JA Adande wrote on espn.com:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=Brand-Clippers-080709&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

First Brand, Now Maggette

Quoting Chris Rock's character, "Bony T" in Boomerang, "First the Fat Boys break up, and now this!" Jonathan Abrams of the LA Times is reporting that in addition to losing Elton Brand to a surprise deal with the 76ers, Corey Maggette has agreed to a contact with the Golden State Warriors.

Recently, I had written how significant of a move it was for the Clippers to lure Baron Davis to Los Angeles, saying "Moves like this one don't usually happen for the Clippers. They happen to the Clippers. " And now it seems like it's deja vu all over again for Donald Sterling and company.

Call it karma, bad luck, or fate. The Clippers just can't seem to ever catch a break. And I mean ever!

From Danny Manning and Larry Brown to Shaun Livingston and Elton Brand, if something can go wrong for the Clippers it usually does. In the past, most of the misfortunes were the results of the organization's own mistakes. However, I don't think you can say that about this latest debacle.

Mike Dunleavy and Elgin Baylor were working under the belief that once they landed Davis, EB would agree to accept less money to play alongside Davis. They believed that because that's what sources tell me they were told by Brand and his agent, David Falk. Why would they think EB would go back on his word? He's never done it before.

However, when it comes to contract negotiations-- in sports or otherwise-- a deal is never done until it's done. But looking back on this latest episode of 'Damn, not again!', could this have happened to anyone but the Clippers?

Breaking News: LA Times Reports Elton Brand Agrees To Deal With 76ers

I am as shocked with this move as anyone. I knew Philly was expected to make a serious push for EB, but all the people I had talked to recently said he would re-sign with the Clippers, especially with them being able to offer him an additional 6th season and the total money being so close. It makes you wonder what changed over the last several days.

As you might imagine, the Clippers organization is terribly upset about EB's decision. The team believed it had an agreement with him to stay, and they took him at his word. It just goes to show you that a deal is never done until it's done.

By Jonathan Abrams, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Elton Brand has reached a verbal agreement to sign a multiyear contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to an NBA source who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on player movements.

The deal is believed to be in the $80-million range and expected to span five years.


http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-clippers9-2008jul09,0,7626268.story

Clippers Lure Baron Davis To LA, Hope Elton Brand Stays

In his obviously predetermined post-game interview outburst at the NBA Finals, Kevin Garnett shouted, "Anything is possible!" Something I've always believed, long before Adidas started using it to sell shoes. And if you ever needed further proof of that idea, all you had to do was hear the news of the Clippers agreeing to a free agent contract with Baron Davis.

Let's be real. Moves like this one don't usually happen for the Clippers. They happen to the Clippers. To put it simply, this is the biggest free agent coup in the history of the Donald T. Sterling era. Davis is a bonafide star in the NBA, a proven playoff performer, and someone who gives the Clippers more than just hope, but an actual chance to do great things.

However, that chance is only possible if Elton Brand re-signs with the Clippers, which was a foregone conclusion once Davis agreed to come on board. That was until the Warriors, fresh with new cap space, threw a max deal offer towards EB. Say what you will about Brand should do, but have you ever had to make a decision that would mean walking away from $20 million?

I have not talked to EB since the Warriors offered him $90 million, but those who have spoken to him recently believe he will remain with the Clippers, and so do I. Not only does he have several interests off the floor here in Los Angeles, but he and his wife Shahara are expecting their first child shortly. So with a fresh baby room awaiting its first tenant, it would be hard for Daddy Brand to bolt town for the Bay Area, don't you think?

UPDATE: You should expect some type of definite answer from Brand in the next 24-48 hours. And from what I'm hearing, EB will re-sign with the Clippers for all the reasons I mentioned above and for another one. Next season's salary cap is expected to be $59 million. If that is indeed the case, the Clippers could actually offer Brand a contract possibly in the $80-85 million range, which would be much closer to the Warriors offer of around $90 million. And don't forget, the Clippers are the only team that can offer Brand a 6-year deal. The maximum contract length available to everyone else is only five years. If you remember, that extra year was one of the main reasons Kobe Bryant stayed with the Lakers several years ago instead of jumping ship to the Clippers.