Empty the Bench

There’s a good reason (OK, maybe more than one) why the Los Angeles Clippers will finish with their worst overall record since the 1999-2000 season, an embarrassing campaign in which they finished an astonishing 15-67. That reason is injuries, and more specifically a ruptured Achilles’ tendon to their franchise player, Elton Brand.

Drafted first overall by the Chicago Bulls back in 1999, the 6-8 power forward took home Rookie of the Year honors for posting a cool 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks/per in his first NBA season, and since then he’s hardly slipped. Heading into 2007, Brand has maintained that level of high, efficient production, with career per-game averages of 20.3 points, 10.2 boards, 2.1 blocks, 50% FG, 2.7 assists, and 1 steal.

Elton Brand Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Such numbers put him in rare company, kids—think Tim Duncan—and certainly puts him in the conversation as one of the most consistent, dominant big men over the last decade. He works hard, steers clear of any off-court trouble, and possesses the kind of leadership and determination that naturally elevates the efforts of his teammates.

It goes without saying that the 23-54 Clippers sorely missed him this season. But he’s back. And boy howdy, after just three games that Achilles’ tendon already seems like a thing of the distant past.

More praise and congratulatory slaps on the back (not butt) for Brand after the break…

When NBA players miss as much court time as Brand has—the injury happened last summer, so he’s missed the entire preseason as well as the Clippers’ first 74 regular season games—there’s usually a prolonged adjustment period. Not only is the conditioning usually not there, but there’s also the significant mental hurdle of feeling comfortable in the flow of the game and confident that you’ve put any risk of re-injury behind you. That’s exactly what’s going on right now with Jermaine O’Neal of the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas.

Outside of logging fewer minutes than his career average of 38:17/per, there’s been no such adjustment for Brand, which speaks volumes about his strenuous rehab schedule. Heading into tonight’s home game against the desperate Denver Nuggets, Brand has averaged an impressive 17.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 2 assists in less than 30 minutes a night during his first three games of the season. He looks fluid, determined, and in command. Remember, the Clippers were going to finish with a terrible record whether he came back or not: Brand most certainly did not have to come back. He could have instead practiced with the team, ramped up his workout routines, and prepared himself for 2008-09.

That’s the kind of guy he is though. He’s already thinking about next season, and wants to accomplish something positive on the court to build on (even if that doesn’t necessarily mean wins). He wants to show the fans that despite their record, he’s going to keep working hard and so are his teammates. And he doesn’t want anyone who’ll still be in the fold next year—teammates, coaches, fans—to think that losing is something that his Clippers take lightly.

Perfect example: despite notching 19 points, 8 boards, and 4 blocks on 50% shooting in his home debut against the Houston Rockets on Sunday, the Clippers still suffered a blowout loss. Some players would have felt encouraged by their continued recovery and solid performance, but here’s what Brand had to say about that game:

“It felt horrible because we lost,” he said. “It’s ironic because I come back and Corey [Maggette] strained a hamstring. We can’t catch a break. We’re just trying to show our fans that we are going to work hard every play and turn this [team] into a winning franchise again.”

Moving beyond that one game, Brand weighed in on a season that has been an embarrassment as far as wins and losses go, but one that to him has still not deterred his firm belief that the Clips aren’t far off from competing again:

“We have another high draft pick, Al Thornton had an amazing rookie year, and Chris Kaman had a great first half,” Brand said. “We have a chance to rebuild quickly. Things just didn’t go the way we wanted to this year because of the injuries. I know other teams got better, but we would have improved also.

“I see myself as the face of the organization,” he continued. “When I went down the record spoke for itself. We haven’t been that bad in a long time. I just don’t want to lose what we have established.”

Brand’s much-needed optimism has been in short supply this season for a franchise traditionally viewed as the JV (if not Freshman) team in Los Angeles; that happens when your leader goes down before the season even begins. That his comments came before a summer in which he can opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent bodes well for his future in LA. Hey, I could never imagine leaving $16.4 million on the table, but it’s a common bargaining tactic in the world of sports, one that actually does pay off often.

And, sure, despite these indications that he’s in it for the long haul with LA, you never know—he could still void the deal and play the market. You get the feeling, however, that Brand is a man of his word. That he truly does want to shoulder the load as the franchise player, and be a man fans remember as an all-time Clippers great. I think he’ll be back. I think the Clippers are going to be much, much better next season, too.

Tags: Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers