Elton Brand didn’t want a job.
Good thing he doesn’t consider it work to play basketball.
It appeared Brand’s NBA career was over when he finished two one-year contracts with the Hawks last season, the apparent culmination of a 16-year career. While he never announced his retirement last summer, it was going to take the right situation for him to return to the game.
It came – with a great deal of coaxing – from the 76ers.
“I live here so it was an easy transition,” Brand said Wednesday after interrupting a pre-game workout before a contest against the Hawks in Philadelphia. “I definitely missed it, missed being part of it. When they asked me, I was kind of reluctant. I said I’m going on vacation with my family. They tried out some people. It didn’t work out. So I came back (from vacation) and Coach (Brett) Brown said ‘I want you.’
“It’s the kind of opportunity you don’t pass up. I passed up a few opportunities – management, TV. I didn’t want a job. This was basketball. It’s what I missed. I love doing this. It’s not a job.”
The 76ers signed Brand on Jan. 4. His veteran leadership was in desperate need for a young team that had major issues on and off the court as they once again have struggled as the worst team in the NBA. Brand said he joined not to take playing time from young, developing players but to teach them priorities and communication. It’s fine to compete against each other in practice, Brand said, but not necessary when it comes to playing time and material things like cars or luggage.
Brand said he has embraced that role. Although he once said he never wanted to be a coach, he was reminded that, in essence, that’s what he is for the 76ers.
“Good point,” Brand said. “I’m translating off-the-court things and on-the-court things. I’m getting them to communicate.”
Brand has yet to play for the 76ers. He continues to work himself into shape saying he feels good but has “some really good days, some just OK days, some not-so-good days.” Brand has only been active for one game and he again sat out against the Hawks Wednesday. His time may come. It may not.
“When we talked about it, I said ‘Look, I don’t want to take an opportunity to develop some of the young guys,’” Brand said. “Like Richaun Holmes. He is an NBA player. He’s pretty good. Give those guys minutes but if you need me, I’m ready. That’s where we are right now.”
Brand admits to a fondness for the Hawks and misses his former teammates. He still finds himself rooting for them and admits that when he sees their logo that it resonates with him.
The Hawks miss Brand too. They have been inconsistent this season and one could point to the absences of his leadership and toughness as one reason.
“He is going to bring (leadership to the 76ers) in multitudes of hundreds or thousands,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “He’s one of the most incredible leaders I’ve ever been around. And as a person. To have person like that in your locker room every day, in your practice every day, on your bench every day, I think it’s huge value. It was a move that made sense for both of them. For the organization, it’s a really smart move. For Elton, to decide he wanted to get back and help the Sixers organization and help these young players and give back speaks a lot to his character and what kind of guy he is.”
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