Brand: "I don't accept it"
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.
Brand: "I don't accept it"
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?
jordon is an idiot. u dont put brand on the bench. it wasnt his fault he wa brought here— bigfella- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- This is the most asinine... Jordan needs to go. Stefanski shoot just bite the bullet then fire it into Jordan's Philly tenure— rswknight
- This is the most asinine... Jordan needs to go. Stefanski shoot just bite the bullet then fire it into Jordan's Philly tenure— rswknight
- 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
- can't wait to see AI run the weave.— mainstreet
- 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
i dont care who starts, as long as it aint willie "i'm a fake ai" green!!!!
Comment removed.- 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
- Fire Jordan please. Pull the trigger— rswknight
- Makes you wonder what was really talked about in that 4 hour chalk talk session.— jefuuetsukusura
- KATE! If you are reading this, please get word to the management...This coach is the largest problem we have. He has no clue what he is doing. This is a botch job. I know you media type must see it too, write an article please, inform the average fans, this team is a wash with this guy running the show. At 40 years old EB will be more deserving of a start than Wille Green. PLEASE HELP US!— Ryan F
- Comment removed.
- Of course he doesn't "accept" it. He's a competitor, a top athlete. He didn't get to where he's at by accepting being anything but the best. That doesn't mean he'll do whatever the coach tells him to do and do his best for the team. That's also part of being a competitor, top athlete in a team sport!— my3cents
- Yes Brand should be a starter..........WITH ANOTHER TEAM............ he is slow, he can't run the floor he just does not fit in here. And............you can take Sammy D and dump him also but nobody wants Dalembert very inconsistent.......HOLLAA.........— merchandiser
- who's kate?— beezer77
Iverson will take minutes from Jrue Holiday. Iverson will take minutes from Lou Williams when Lou returns. Worst of all, Iverson may help the Sixers make the playoffs, which will give them a low draft choice next summer. And since the Sixers are over the salary cap, a high draft choice is the only hope for next season.- Did they give Jordan a 3 yr. contract? I sure hope not. A new coach right about now, with the addition of A.I. and Brand as a starter might actually make a difference.— scars73
- GO PHILS— drrush
- Eddie Jordan is a bad coach. The Sixers are one of the worst rebounding teams in league and now you wanna bring your best rebounder off the bench ! Please fire this guy. The last time we won a game Elton played 40 plus minutes. We will keep losing until he starts this guy. Eddie Jordan is the worst.— Moneymaka53
- I think that this is going to be an exciting team. Only more exciting when WIlliams gets back. If Iverson has 80% left, this team is much better than the team he took to the Championship. It needs to become cohesive, and the style they play with AI, they will certainly know their teams purpose, that is, to run.— maximus
- The bench needs a scorer. Every team has that formula. A staring five and then a sixth man that can score. The starting lineup should be Holiday, Iverson, Iggy, Brand and Dalember. With Thad coming off the bench - He will destroy 2nd team players when in. When Sweet Lou comes back, he and Iverson start in the backcourt with the same up front. Holiday and Thad continue off the bench. Fire Stefanski and Eddie Jordan. When there were hints of Jordan being hired I cringed but knew that with the Sixers' luck or bad luck, we'd end up getting Jordan.— vdubble
- The GM is proving just how stupid one person can be. He has messed up everything that Billy King put us in a position to rectify...The Coach is Clueless, the offense should run through Brand not away from him and you just brought back a player who you couldn't wait to get rid of...This is a TOTAL JOKE...they are worse than their record...— mediatedviscera
- Why is Dalembert still on the team???...this clown needs to go ASAP.— P.H.I
- Right now, fans want to be entertained by the Sixers and the best way to entertain them, other than winning, is by running. The best starting five for an up-tempo game IMHO is Holiday at the point, as he is a true point guard and gives some height to the backcourt; Iverson at the shooting guard for obvious reasons; Young at small forward; Iguodala at power forward, although not really right for the position; and Dalembert at center. Brand, Kapono, Ivey, Carney, and Green should come off the bench and try to execute the Princeton depending on the exact rotation. Iverson is not and has never been a true point guard and Holiday needs to play. Brand can still get 25-30 minutes which is clearly all he can handle. Jordan tried playing him extended minutes, and Brand ended up with a strained hammy.— chuckw
- Play Brand 48 minutes a night every night until his knees blowout and he has to retire. Then we can get out of the contract.— Scottbiggie
Keith Pompey has been an Inquirer reporter since September 2004. He takes over the Sixers beat after covering the Temple men’s basketball team for the past three years and Temple football the past two seasons. Pompey also previously covered the Penn and Drexel men’s basketball team and Villanova football team after initially focusing on high school sports.
Pompey is a native Philadelphian and a University of Pittsburgh. Follow him on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers or reach Keith at kpompey@phillynews.com.
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.
