The return of a superstar...

[ClippersGM-old]

This comes from the Sports Pages of the LA Times:

Clipper Glory

Eight days from now, Elton Brand will return to the Clippers line-up. And everyone in town is excited about it. Yes, these are the times when the Clippers rule in Los Angeles and when the red-and-blue army is running showtime in Staples Center. What yellow-and-purple???

Brand will return for the last 9 regular season games and then carry the team through the playoffs into the finals. "We have a young but very experienced squad. We have been to the playoffs before and we know what it is all about." the 28 year old star said. Later he added "We have been working for this for a long time and we will give it everything we got."

We had the chance to talk to coach just after this morning's shoot around. "Our core group has been togehter for a couple years now. Everyone knows, understands and accepts his role [in the team]."

These days, many teams are very active on the trade market. The Clippers not so. So we asked coach about this. "We were quiet [on the trade market] the past couple seasons. We wanted to give the young guys time to develop. Give them the chance to get their confidence up and grow as a team."

We also asked coach about Brand's late season return. "He is back to full health. The team doctor said that he was ready to play up to 20mpg about 2 weeks ago, but my coaching staff, management and I decided to give him extra rest and come back just before the playoffs to get that rust off."

Brand was not happy when he was told by management that he was in some trade rumors this season. But as a professional, he did understand the situation where management was in. "A lot is expected of the Clippers organization this season so they were looking for a substitute for me" Brand said. "This is part of being an SSBA player. It comes with the life I have and I accept that."

Management realized that they would be able to cruise into the playoffs without him and eventually decided to hold on to him.
Rumors have it they even started talks about a new contract for the superstar power forward. Brand will be a free agent this summer. Supposedly, Brand was already offered a max deal and he agreed to it.

But first they will try to get that first ring and the trophy in LA. And it seems that "Ain't no stoppin us now" will be heard many times in the upcoming months at Staples Center.

Hey Clippers' DJ... better start looking for that "We are the champions" cd...


- Tyler Durden for the Los Angeles Times -

[RaptorsGM]

Funny hwo the article failed to menion that the max deal that was agreed upon came from the Raptors...

[ClippersGM-old]

True... indeed kinda strange.

So I just called Mr. Durden to find out about it. He said that a very reliable source told him that the rumored max offer that was agreed upon came from the Clippers. And that there had already been interest from the Raptors, however Brand would not like the cold weather up in Toronto.

[RaptorsGM]

True... indeed kinda strange.

So I just called Mr. Durden to find out about it. He said that a very reliable source told him that the rumored max offer that was agreed upon came from the Clippers. And that there had already been interest from the Raptors, however Brand would not like the cold weather up in Toronto.

We have furnaces, contrary to popular belief

The Raptors are more intersted in the other Clippers FA big.

[ClippersGM-old]

We have furnaces, contrary to popular belief

The Raptors are more intersted in the other Clippers FA big.

Big men do not fit in small furnaces!      

[BlazersGM]

Nice article

[ClippersGM-old]

Nice article

Thanks!

[CelticsGM]

This comes from the Sports Pages of the LA Times:

Clipper Glory

Eight days from now, Elton Brand will return to the Clippers line-up. And everyone in town is excited about it. Yes, these are the times when the Clippers rule in Los Angeles and when the red-and-blue army is running showtime in Staples Center. What yellow-and-purple???

Brand will return for the last 9 regular season games and then carry the team through the playoffs into the finals. "We have a young but very experienced squad. We have been to the playoffs before and we know what it is all about." the 28 year old star said. Later he added "We have been working for this for a long time and we will give it everything we got."

We had the chance to talk to coach just after this morning's shoot around. "Our core group has been togehter for a couple years now. Everyone knows, understands and accepts his role [in the team]."

These days, many teams are very active on the trade market. The Clippers not so. So we asked coach about this. "We were quiet [on the trade market] the past couple seasons. We wanted to give the young guys time to develop. Give them the chance to get their confidence up and grow as a team."

We also asked coach about Brand's late season return. "He is back to full health. The team doctor said that he was ready to play up to 20mpg about 2 weeks ago, but my coaching staff, management and I decided to give him extra rest and come back just before the playoffs to get that rust off."

Brand was not happy when he was told by management that he was in some trade rumors this season. But as a professional, he did understand the situation where management was in. "A lot is expected of the Clippers organization this season so they were looking for a substitute for me" Brand said. "This is part of being an SSBA player. It comes with the life I have and I accept that."

Management realized that they would be able to cruise into the playoffs without him and eventually decided to hold on to him.
Rumors have it they even started talks about a new contract for the superstar power forward. Brand will be a free agent this summer. Supposedly, Brand was already offered a max deal and he agreed to it.

But first they will try to get that first ring and the trophy in LA. And it seems that "Ain't no stoppin us now" will be heard many times in the upcoming months at Staples Center.

Hey Clippers' DJ... better start looking for that "We are the champions" cd...


- Tyler Durden for the Los Angeles Times -

Latest newsbreak:

According to a source close to LA Clippers superstar Elton Brand which spoke under the condition of anonymity, the star forward is pretty much dissatisfied with team managements handling of his return from injury. "That pressure built up in recent weeks about titles and celebrations really pisses me off. Whoever believes that an injury like that has no influence on my playing skills, especially after returning way ahead of standard rehab time, should probably experience that feeling himself. I can't stand it anymore to be responsible for all the failure initiated by false management decisions or premature press releases. Don't get me wrong, I want to win a title above everything else and my career won't be a successful one without any, but it doesn't look like this is possible in this current setting i'm in."

Asked if he would force management to trade him to a contender, Brand responded: "I had the believe that the clippers are a contender, but that might have been premature. There are a lot of guys in the league where a change of scenery had all positive effects, but it's not in my nature to force things at all".

According to the source Brand indeed wouldn't object to submit a list of possible destinations where he could ressurect his career and quest for a title.

Clippers team management declined to comment stories from anonymous sources and the Agent of Elton Brand would not answer phone calls from the LA Times. So stay tuned for further news here ...

- Tyler Durden for the Los Angeles Times -

[HawksGM]

nice Celts, but I think Mr. Durden left out of his article that Elton would love being the star of a team and the focus and Atlanta would be the perfect place for that.

[CelticsGM]

nice Celts, but I think Mr. Durden left out of his article that Elton would love being the star of a team and the focus and Atlanta would be the perfect place for that.

that same source, still in anonymity, explained it this way, in his own words: "... if they would do THAT to him, he'd surely retire right away and becomes minister in Maui - at least he said its an island, could be Mali or Mauri too ... or was it Madagascar ... no, definitely shorter, but ..."


don't order the plane tickets just yet
 

[HawksGM]

lol, that's great

[ClippersGM-old]

I talked to Elton's manager today. And guess what... he actually has the Hawks and Celtics on his list of teams where he would want to play...


NOT!!

[HawksGM]

lol, how bout that other frontcourt superstar?, I think he'd like it in the ATL

[KingsGM-old]

It seems like everyone is forgetin former powerhouse that has the most money and probably the best whether of all the remaining teams.

So, Chandler and Brand, you're both welcome in our wonderfull state of California. And since it's very close to LA, moving part shouldn't be a problem either.

[RaptorsGM]

I talked to Elton's manager today. And guess what... he actually has the Hawks and Celtics on his list of teams where he would want to play...


NOT!!

Right, because the Raptors are the only team on his list...