The Sixers (4-4) play the Utah Jazz (3-5) tonight at the Wachovia Center.

Also forced into the Brand discussion was Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski, who signed Brand to a five-year, $80 million contract in July 2008.

"Elton is trying to find his way - no question about it. He hasn't played in games for two years," Stefanski said. "It may just not come as quickly as he'd like to."

This season, Brand is averaging 9.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, and his numbers are dropping about as quickly as the local temperature.

Stefanski, though, would not touch the topic of Brand's playing time, which is 27.0 minutes a game, lowest in his 10-year career. He called all on-court moves the coach's decision. Jordan said he's not as concerned with Brand as, say, the media are.

"Elton Brand is a leader on our team, he is a solid veteran, he works hard," Jordan told reporters. "I respect him as a professional, I respect him for his effort. Elton Brand is not as big in my mind as he is with you guys. It's not an issue for me."

The coach added: "He's our starting power forward, and he's one of 13, and that's where I stand with him."

Jordan said that in the second quarter of Wednesday night's game he reinserted Brand instead of playing reserve power forward Jason Smith, conscious of giving Brand more time to find a rhythm.

Brand finished the night 0 for 6 from the field. He played less than six minutes in the second half.

"He's not a big issue as far as me playing him 40 minutes to see if he can get off," Jordan said, sounding slightly frustrated. "I'm looking at guys who are giving me production right now. I have a rotation that's very good for us right now. By design, the first play of Wednesday night's game went to Brand.

"But when I come into the office, and I look at the game and preparing for the game and 48 minutes, Elton Brand is not as big in my mind as he is to you guys - that's what I'm saying," Jordan continued.

For his part, Brand seemed more focused on how he can improve his situation rather than expecting Jordan to change it for him.

"Keep doing what he's doing, working the practices, giving me the opportunities," Brand said when asked what he would do if he were Jordan. "If I'm going well, keep that opportunity. And that's about it."

Does Brand understand the response to his less than stellar early-season play?

"Of course, I'm a realist, I understand," Brand said. "You sign a big contract, you expect big numbers."

Brand said that he wouldn't be sitting at the end of games if he were dominating in the minutes he did play - and that his frustration is personal, not teamwide.

"If I go out there and dominate, you have to play me, you know what I mean?" he said. "You have to stay on the court."

Through two weeks, the Sixers' play has been uninspired, but Brand said he believes that he could be - and maybe should be - the difference-maker.

"Definitely, I have to be up there," said Brand, meaning "up there" for consideration as the player who could help the team win. "You know, those games not playing the fourth quarter or whatever, but we lost by 30 points, if I'm out there doing what I need to do, we'll have a chance."

Young is sore. Sixers starting small forward Thaddeus Young woke up yesterday morning with a sore shoulder. The injury was not from any specific play during the New Jersey game. Young sat out yesterday's practice with a left-shoulder muscle spasm. The Sixers are calling him a game-time decision.

Contact staff writer Kate Fagan at 856-779-3844 or kfagan@phillynews.com.