The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Elton Brand Fills Carl Landry Void

By Bret Stuter

Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Elton Brand (42) attempts to block the shot of New Orleans Pelicans guard Tim Frazier (2) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 107-93. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Elton Brand (42) attempts to block the shot of New Orleans Pelicans guard Tim Frazier (2) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 107-93. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Elton Brand (42) lands on the scorers table after saving a ball from going out of bounds against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Hornets won 100-85. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Elton Brand (42) lands on the scorers table after saving a ball from going out of bounds against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Hornets won 100-85. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Brand Knew Basketball

He rejoined the team initially in January 2016. At that time, his article about why he agreed to return to basketball as a Philadelphia 76er was moving. Now, it seems surreal.

I cannot overstate this. Elton Brand is a class-act star NBA player.  No team could engineer a better mentor their players.  No veteran player is a better role model for younger players.  While Landry played just 36 games for the 76ers last season, Brand – who arrived in January 2016 – appeared in just 17.

Last season, Brand contributed  4.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assist per game on just 13.1 minutes per game.  Despite arriving in January, Brand did not make his first court appearance for the team until chalking up 13 minutes in a home game against the Miami Heat in early March.  In the game, he scored eight points and hauled in 4 rebounds.

This season will be an entirely different matter than last year. Brand is beginning the season with the Philadelphia 76ers, not mid-season.  This year, the team is optimistic, as the addition of Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Dario Saric to the roster has elevated the talent level of the team.  The Philadelphia 76ers have even addressed their back court.  Brand simply needs to play his game, and share as much as his younger teammates can absorb.

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