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As you all know by now, Elton Brand will be a Sixer, having agreed to sign a five year deal worth about $82 million.
First, check out Marc Stein's take on the Brand-Sixers agreement :
The Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors are two brands (no pun intended) of utter mediocrity in the NBA. Besides their two fluke playoff appearances where they made it out of the first round (in 2006 and 2007, respectively), you can count on one hand the combined playoff runs in recent years.
The Clippers and Warriors are this way because they can never put together a package to sustain development for their franchises. I'm no insider of these two teams, so I'm not going to go on a rant about their visions - or lack thereof - but I'm just going to comment on what I see from the outside.
With the signing of Baron Davis, this was the opportunity of a lifetime for the Clips. Elton Brand made it known all along that he wanted to re-sign, and what would be more marketable than pairing two of the brightest stars from the high school Class of 1997 and the NBA Draft's Class of 1999 in one package, under the bright lights of Hollywood? They couldn't close, and they blew it.
What about the Golden State Warriors? They lose Baron Davis, their moneymaker, then they go out and pay big money - a reported $50 million over five years - to sign Corey Maggette. Maggette is a very good players, an athletic specimen with solid ability on both ends of the floor, who, assuming he is able to put his pride aside, put contenders such as the Celtics or Spurs over the top. However, he doesn't have the finesse floor game or diversified scoring ability to lead a team to new heights, and with the Maggette signing, Golden State will be able to maintain its status as an exciting team that gets nowhere.
Also, there is talk about Monta Ellis moving to the point : Boy is he - and the Warriors - going to struggle. The point guard position is more of a mentality than just a skill set, and if you aren't used to playing the position, you will go through some serious pains making the transition in pickup games, never mind the NBA.
What about Philly? Philly is a team on the rise - with or without Elton Brand. They have a leader in Andre Miller, a bright, young wing in Andre Iguodala, and a hustle monster in Samuel Dalembert. Brand will bring his work ethic, big posterior-utilizing inside play and reliable mid-range jumpshot to Philly, and enhance the Sixers' natural growing curve. It is a good situation for both Brand to contribute, as he won't be under so much pressure to carry the team each and every night, because point guard Andre Miller still has about three or four more good years of NBA basketball left in him.
So NBA fans, welcome to the zero-sum new signings, and the same ole NBA. If you are a Clippers or Warriors fan, then you will get to experience more jaw-dropping highlights and more losing, while if you're a Sixers fan, you will be guaranteed to get another year of Philly's mostly consistent playoff tradition that started in 1999.
More NBA free agency!
On Baron Davis going to the LA Clippers (Daily Sports Select for July 2, 2008) Sphere: Related Content
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