The Killer Crossover 07.14.08: Philly in a Brand New Place

Posted by Todd Spehr on 07.14.2008

Elton Brand left the Clippers without an All-Star power forward, without a sidekick for their new point guard, and with a very bitter taste for the mouths of Clippers fans. So where now for LA? 411's Todd Spehr examines the transaction, and looks at the polar opposite directions of Brand's current (Philly) and former (LAC) team...

There is no argument that Sonics fans are the poster-child for most tortured souls this off-season - so what does that make Clippers fans? Exhibit 1A?

First, the best player the franchise has had since Bob McAdoo (who actually played in Buffalo) - Elton Brand - opts out of his lucrative contract, but with a kicker: He can re-sign for less so that his Clippers can obtain reinforcements. You see, Brand was present for the Celtics' trampling of cross-town rivals the Lakers in the '08 Finals, and he realized that if LAC didn't add a name, then he might be playing out his career as this generations Clarence Weatherspoon - very nice numbers, very nice player, very bad teams.

Next, Baron Davis, who led Golden State to their first playoff appearance in 13 years in 2007 and that very same team to the best-possible-year-without-actually-making-the-postseason in 2008, decided that the Clip Joint would be a nice place to play out his last big contract – so he verbally agreed to come aboard. Corey Maggette then did his "duty" and released LA of his mass contract, opening up the gates for the Clippers to make these seemingly heavenly moves.

So wait a minute, the Clippers are going to be good?

When, for the first time in two years and possibly just the second time ever since the Clips moved up the road from San Diego in '84, things actually "felt right" in LA, it predictably fell apart. In a move oh so reminiscent of fellow Dukie Carlos Boozer four years ago, Brand showed LA about as little loyalty as humanly possible and bolted for Philly, who had a suitcase full of cash, a very large hole at the power forward position, and oodles of potential to make a playoff run in the weakened East.

Sad part is, it was a stroke of genius by the Sixers, who waited in the weeds while the Clippers were distracted by the Warriors' grasp for Brand, and then cleared additional cap room to make way for a very generous offer to the former number one pick by sending Rodney Carney and some pocket change to Minnesota for a second-round pick. Not only did that free up some $3 million, it was probably also the sealer.

What's even sadder is, since the high-point of Clipper Nation (the 2006 playoffs), things have fallen to bits. Sam Cassell got real old, real fast. Brand, who had simply a stupendous '06 campaign (24.7 and 10 nightly and seventh in the MVP voting) followed by a curiously inconsistent 2007, was a total wipeout last season due to injury. Shaun Livingston, the most coveted draft pick LA has had since Danny Manning, has been far more "Penny Hardaway" than he has been "Magic Johnson"; chronic knee injuries practically rendering him useless. He's missed 183 games in four seasons, which actually downgrades him from "Penny Hardaway" to "Bill Walton" with a medical record like that. Add Brand's salty departure to the seemingly endless list of heartaches.

Basically, a team that was one win from the conference finals two years ago is now a team in tatters, which, oddly enough, is a place that's cruelly familiar. So what now? They have Baron Davis, who has business interests way more Hollywood-slanted than Clipper-slanted. They have Chris Kaman, who has got better every year since he came in, but benefited mightily from Brand's absence, and keep in mind, he's missed a ton of hoops because of injuries. They have Cuttino Mobley, who is the third-highest paid player on the team, but contributed next-to-nothing last year. Can a team that is constantly in rebuilding mode, rebuild on top of that?

Philly meanwhile, are sitting very pretty in the East. Outside of Dwight Howard, is there a guy more dominating inside than a healthy Brand? And more importantly, how quickly did Philly turn this thing around after Allen Iverson departed in December of 2006 – a span of some 140 games? There is no question they have the potential to be a top four team in the East, taking their place alongside Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Orlando, and a healthy Washington as teams capable of getting there.

Not only does Brand bring credibility, much-needed help, and a new "face" to the franchise, but he also sets off a chain reaction that means Philly can move Thaddeus Young to his more naturally suited small forward spot, move Andre Iguodala to the two-spot, and pair him in the backcourt with Andre Miller, who last year defied usual point guard logic and had a career year at age 31 while being Philly's MVP. Now we're cooking.

The only problem now is getting the sour taste out of our mouths as Brand prospers in Philadelphia, and the Clippers continue ooze bad odors in the Pacific Division cellar, all while we endure the back-and-forth between Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy and Brand's agent, the detestable David Falk. Look, Brand is in Philly, and there's no turning back. Not for him, not for his new team. Where that leaves the Clippers I have no idea.

You can read Todd Spehr's NBA column every week at 411mania.com. To read more of his stuff, check out his blog "Runnin' The Point," the only blog devoted exclusively to NBA point guards.