Elton Brand wasn’t signed by the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this season to be a starter. He wasn’t signed to average 20 points and 10 rebounds. He wasn’t even signed to play, per say. He was signed to teach a gaggle of young big men how to be professionals in the NBA and after an incident involving number 3 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft Jahlil Okafor, Brand appeared to be the right man to come in and help these kids out.
Now with the Philadelphia 76ers having another bad season come to an end, not only will Elton Brand’s second stint with Philly come to an end, so will his career.
Following from Dan Gelston of the Associated Press.
No big #76ers surprise here. Elton Brand isn't officially ready to retire yet. But says of his career, "I think this is going to be it." 2/2
— Dan Gelston (@APgelston) April 11, 2016
Brand shocked many when he elected to come out of the shadows and join the 76ers of all teams. You would think Brand, a player who has never been to a conference finals in his career, would join a team on the brink of a playoff push. Instead he joined Philly to be a mentor to young potential stars. He will finish his solid career with averages of 15.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.7 blocks on an even 50.0 percent shooting if he doesn’t play another minute this year. Brand enjoyed his most productive stretch with the Clippers from 2003-07, averaging at least 20 points and nine rebounds in each of those four years and he named an All-Star twice in his 17 year NBA career.
