Empty the Bench

By Brian Spencer

We might need a larger sample size of games before drawing any definitive conclusions on whether or not the Elton Brand of old is gone for good, but we’re worried about him. For sure. At this point we’re starting to think that a change of scenery might be the best (only?) option not only for him to resuscitate his career at 30 years old, but also for the Philadelphia 76ers to cut their losses, get a reasonable return in trade while they still can, and plug in a player that’s better suited to their tempo and philosophy.

If the Sixers drag their heels much longer and keep waiting for the double-double machine they thought they signed in ‘08 to return, they’re running a serious risk of flushing $82 million down the toilet with little to nothing to show for it. Unfortunately for both parties, that’s where it’s at right now.

Health and durability were not concerns for the first-overall pick of the 1999 NBA Draft during his first 8 years in the league, a span in which, on average, he played in about 76 of 82 regular-season games per year. He was quietly a perennial 20 and 10 threat who shot around 50% from the field and chipped in about 2 blocks, 1 steal, and 2 or 3 assists per. Perhaps more impressive, in ‘06 he led the bumbling Los Angeles Clippers franchise to its first playoff series win in 30 years. He was, essentially, one of the NBA’s rocks: reliable, productive, consistent, hard-working.

Things quickly changed: a rupture Achilles tendon limited him to just 8 games in the 07-08 season. Convinced the injury was an abberation and seduced by his impressive resume, the Sixers viewed Brand as the missing piece to their puzzle and signed him to a lucrative 5-year, $82 million deal… and they’re still waiting for that 20-and-10 Elton Brand to show up. He played in just 28 games last season due to injury, with surgery on his separated shoulder eventually shutting him down for good. Before that, his slow-and-steady style of play in the post didn’t mesh with the uptempo offense which Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, and Louis Williams thrive in. His per-game averages of 44% FG, 67% FT, 13.8 points, 8.8 boards, 1.3 assists, and 1.6 blocks in those 28 games were all career worsts.

Again, we’re only five games in and some rust is to be expected since Brand has played in just 37 games the past 2 years. But if his role on this Sixers team was unsettled last year, right now it has to be considered undefined and up in the air. He’s averaging less than 29 minutes per–almost 10 less than his career average–and logged just 18:38 Friday night against the Nets. Perhaps more concerning, he simply looks hesitant and uncomfortable out there. That’s not what the Sixers want to see out of their highest-paid player.

So, what’s going on here? Are we witnessing the premature decline of a once-dominant player? Has this string of injuries gotten in his head? Is it rust that he’ll soon shake off? Is he just a bad fit for this team and this system? And to go back to my original point, can the Sixers afford to wait and see?

Philadelphia heavily invested in Elton Brand, but that shouldn’t stop them from exploring their trade options if they’re not totally confident in Brand’s potential to turn it around. And if they make that determination, they should move quickly. Get a younger, quicker post player who better fits with Iguodala, Young, and Williams–the core of this franchise. Brand’s trade value will continue to recede the longer they wait and the longer that Brand struggles to regain his All-Star form. God forbid he incurs another serious injury.

It’s still early. There’s still time for this to work. But the clock is ticking.