Brand insists finger is fine
Sixers forward Elton Brand says his bothersome finger won't be a bother
Brand insists finger is fine
Even though he has dislocated his right pinkie finger in each of the last two games, Elton Brand insists that all is fine.
Brand did concede there is some pain. Being out of the lineup would cause him more distress. When asked after Thursday's practice if it bothers his shooting, Brand said, "A little bit but it's the pinkie. I have definitely adjusted to it."
Brand says there is more pain when he has to catch the ball. And it's a real pain wearing a split, but it beats the alternative - being sidelined.
One could tell that Brand didn't want to talk much about his injury as he tried to shrug things off. Coach Doug Collins admitted more concern, but then praised Brand for his toughness.
"Elton is a warrior," Collins said. "He wants to rip that splint off but we have to keep it on his hand because if he gets it hit again it will dislocate."
Brand hasn't missed a game this season due to injury. He did sit one game due to an NBA suspension. He has been a true leader and wants to play through this which is admirable.
Of course, two things to look at are - will it affect his shooting and can he injure the finger even more. The same game he first dislocated the finger, Cleveland's Antawn Jamison suffered a fractured finger that could sideline him the rest of the year.
So even though Brand is acting like it's no big deal, his situation is something that has to be closely monitored the next few games.
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a thin frontline as is can't take this hit. brand going down could even knock us out of the playoffs. looks even worse now that STIFFANSKI and THORN didn't pull off a trade for camby or kaman. This is why you keep tweaking even when things are going well. and i expect a slightly tougher game than i think most people are. not saying we're going to lose but i doubt we'll win by 20 again. we're a young team coming off a tough loss and minn has won 3-5 on the road. not to mention our weakness is guarding the interior and their best player is a monster who's about to break the consecutive double double streak set by moses.— 76ers in 2076
John Mitchell is in his second 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.
