Blue Chip Player
There is no lack of potential talent on the Philadelphia 76ers this season. In fact, the team is bursting at the seams with talent. In this off-season, the team has added the equivalent of a new five man starting lineup. In the worst case scenario of injury to one of these young players, the team will need a sure-footed seasoned vet to
But he’s more than that spare player to carry. Even with little preparation, he chipped in 4.1 points per game. Entering the season prepared, he could approach a respectable 9.0 points per game. Is that enough to warrant a roster spot?
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Perhaps not. But he will be the perfect 14th or 15th player on the team. Brand has proven his basketball skills, and as such will no longer need to get playing minutes to showcase his stuff. In effect, he transforms into a pseudo player/coach. Becoming that voice of wisdom from the bench, he will accelerate the development of the three centers on the team, particularly during the time when Joel Embiid will be joining him on the bench.
Elton Brand is a quality player: both on and off the field. While the team may miss an opportunity to develop a younger player, that is more than offset by the chance to mold their young talent into a player like Brand. And that is worth taking a risk.