Posted: Friday, December 4, 2009, 2:56 PM | 34 comments |
 

Brand: "I don't accept it"

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Here in Charlotte. Just got back from 76ers practice at the Time Warner Center here. Obviously all the talk right now is AI, but getting lost in that saga has been the fact that power forward Elton Brand has been coming off the bench the last two games. He missed three games with a sore right hamstring, and since coming back, he hasn't started -- although he's played well in both games.

Talked with Eddie Jordan today and asked him if he wanted to keep Brand coming off the bench and if he liked him there. He said, "Yes, to both." So look for Brand to come off the bench again tomorrow night against the Bobcats.

A few minutes after talking with Jordan, talked with Elton Brand, who seemed less than pleased with coming off the bench (naturally, as a competitor).

Here's the conversation with Brand.

You okay with coming off the bench: 

"No, of course not. You know what I mean, it’s like ... we’re not winning either way, so I’d rather be out there and give us the best chance."

Thoughts on AI:

"We have to see, I don’t know. I know Iverson can help us and do what he does and be that scorer, but I’m sure he wants to start, too. So, we’ve got two guys that want to start."

Do you accept not starting?

"No, I don’t accept it. What it is – being a competitor – but also I don’t think I have done anything to merit a bench spot."

Have you talked to Jordan about it? 

 
"No. Not much, not at all."
 
How's the hamstring, is it hindering you?
 
"Not at all, no lingering effect. He knows I feel good. Maybe keep coming off the bench playing my 20 minutes and maybe I can crack the lineup."
 
On the losing streak:
 
"Winning is more important, whatever it is. That’s why I’m staying positive and I’m going to do whatever we need to do cause I feel like hopefully there is a goal. Hopefully he sees something and we’re going to start winning from it, but we’re not winning."
 
But Jordan says he doesn't want to play you 20 minutes, says he wants to get you your minutes?
 
"Of course he wants me to play 20 minutes, that’s what I’m playing: 25 minutes. That’s what he wants."
 
If you want to follow all things 76ers as it happens, follow on Twitter: Deep Sixer.
 
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--Kate

 
Posted by Kate Fagan @ 2:56 PM  Permalink | 34 comments
34
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:48 PM, 12/04/2009
    jordon is an idiot. u dont put brand on the bench. it wasnt his fault he wa brought here
    — bigfella
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:51 PM, 12/04/2009
    Why not start Brand? The worst that can happen is that he can fail and have to accept a bench role. He's had some moments of brilliance out there on the boards, scooping garbage shots and keeping the Sixers in games with second chances. And with AI taking all those shots someone gotta go for the offensive boards, and we know it ain't gonna be Thad, at least not yet.
    — phasor
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:55 PM, 12/04/2009
    My sense is that Jordan realizes that his Princeton offense is baloney where the personnel of this team is concerned and that an up-tempo offense, especially now with Iverson, is the best chance they have of winning. Thus, reduced playing time for Brand.
    — chuckw
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:57 PM, 12/04/2009
    I hated the hire, still do; too many other good coaches were out there, and too many fresh faces to bring in a winless retred with an unproven system. I'm gladd Bubba Chuck is back, but we won't be much better.
    — ttmanage
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:14 PM, 12/04/2009
    Other than when he was out with the hamstring injury, Brand has been playing like his old self the last handful of games and has been producing exactly what the Sixers hoped for when they signed him. Why put him on the bench? The man has been showing with his play that he deserves to be on the floor and is doing everything he can to earn his minutes. I don't get Eddie Jordan.
    — syracusenats
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:23 PM, 12/04/2009
    if this princeton offense didn't work in washington..makes u think its going to work here? washington got rid of him and that offense and they better off now..If he makes it pass the season..he getting canned at the end of the season. Better hope Iverson saves his job..which i really doubt!! Hope Snider sells this team to someone that wants to win!! Also please get rid of stefanski!!
    — bigjay215
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:26 PM, 12/04/2009
    This is the most asinine... Jordan needs to go. Stefanski shoot just bite the bullet then fire it into Jordan's Philly tenure
    — rswknight
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:26 PM, 12/04/2009
    This is the most asinine... Jordan needs to go. Stefanski shoot just bite the bullet then fire it into Jordan's Philly tenure
    — rswknight
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:47 PM, 12/04/2009
    Please start Brand. Give him 40 minutes. He might not be the superstar we hoped he was when we gave him that contract, but he's definitely one of the best players on our team. If he isn't producing, that's Jordan's failure as a coach. Either way, with the money and years we gave Brand, we'll either win or lose with him, but keep him off the bench.
    — padillaflotilla
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:52 PM, 12/04/2009
    can't wait to see AI run the weave.
    — mainstreet
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:54 PM, 12/04/2009
    Starting lineup at this time which will give the Sixers the best chance to win: C Dalembert PF Brand SF Young SG Iguadala PG Iverson
    — sedale
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:00 PM, 12/04/2009
    i dont care who starts, as long as it aint willie "i'm a fake ai" green!!!!
    — Phil MeNuggets
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:16 PM, 12/04/2009
    I know that the fire in Brand's belly is burning but he has to realize that Eddie Jordan is doing the best thing for this club. Jordan is a former championship player and on the fast track to becoming an Hall of Fame coach. Jordan knows that he will need Brand's legs fresh when this team gets deep in the playoffs and now with the deepest guard rotation in the history of the NBA they may even be able to save him all the way until the Finals.
    — Nothing but the truth
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:20 PM, 12/04/2009
    Fire Jordan please. Pull the trigger
    — rswknight


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About John Mitchell
John Mitchell is in his first year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.

Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.

ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI

Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.

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