86ed for 76ers

Elton Brand has reportedly left the Clip Ship to join the Philadelphia 76ers. In a stunning move that has sent shock waves throughout the league, Brand will get a reported 82 million over 5 years. What once seemed like a virtual lock for him to resign with the Clippers after opting out in order to obtain a free agent by clearing up cap space, has turned around and bit Donald Sterling wear it hurts. Thoughts were that Elton and Baron Davis wanted to join up in Tinsel Town to set up a formidable squad in the West. Brand supposedly was motivated by going to a Finals game in Boston and seeing the likes of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett team up to ultimately win a title. It is said that Brand wanted the Clippers to go after Davis and that Baron was the free agent targeted for the Clippers to satisfy everyone.

I am not a Clipper fan , never have been and never would be. Although, Baron Davis is probably my favorite player besides Kobe Bryant. But honestly, you have to feel for the little brothers down the hall in Staples Center. I mean one week theyre a top 4 or 5 team in a tough Western Conference and the next week theyre back to being … well the Clippers. It seems like just when theyre about to turn the corner , Clipperness comes out of them again.

You cant really blame the Clippers too much on this one, from what i hear they were willing to renounce a player or two in order to come up with a deal that would reach approximately 80 million in total. Thats only two million dollars in difference over a span of 5 years. You gotta believe that this deal was not money motivated. I have a strong feeling that Elton feels that he just cant make it to the Finals with the Clippers in the brutal West even with Davis. Where in the East, you dont have as many teams that are primed for a long run. Celtics are older as are the Pistons. Lebron might not have enough in Cleveland so with solid young players in Philly along with his addition might be formidable enough to come out of the East. Also, i believe hes tired of getting snubbed from All Star teams in a Power Forward stacked Western Conference.

This deal has a stench that reminds many of the infamous Carlos Boozer Saga. Where a few years ago , Boozer told the Cavaliers to not pick up his option on his contract allowing him to be a free agent with the promise that he would resign. Only to have him leave the Cavaliers high and dry and bolt for a monster deal from the Utah Jazz. Either way , Clipper Nation will be feeling this one for a long time.