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Brand New Start

The Philadelphia 76ers today held a press conference announcing that the team signed free agent forward Elton Brand.

"First of all it is an honor and a privilege to be here to play for these passionate fans of the Philadelphia 76ers," said Brand. "I would like to thank Mr. [Peter] Luukko, Mr. [Ed] Stefanski for the tireless work that they did. I want to thank the rest of the 76ers management for working out this deal so this could happen. I am honored and excited and won’t let anyone down."

Brand, who had one year remaining on his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, decided to opt-out of the final year and sign with the Sixers. Upon deciding on a destination for next season, it was the entire Sixers organization that attracted Brand to the City of Brotherly Love.

"I got to know the staff; I got to know the organization," said Brand. "I got to know some of the people of this city and I definitely look forward to [this season]."

Brand has posted career-averages of 20.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and a 50.5 field-goal percentage in 10 NBA seasons. Brand, who was limited to just eight games in the 2007-08 regular season after rupturing his left Achilles tendon, averaged 20.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and a career-high 53.3 field-goal percentage in the 2006-07 campaign.

"Health-wise I am definitely 100 percent," said Brand. "My achilles is totally repaired and strong. The athleticism is there. Believe me I got a thorough checking from the staff. Everything is fine and I am excited. I am prepared to do some big things this year."

During the 2005-06 season, Brand led the Clippers to the playoffs for the first time since 1996-97, and the team’s 47 regular season wins that season are the second most in franchise history. Brand averaged a career-high 24.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and a career-high tying 2.5 blocks in 2005-06.

"There are four current NBA players who have career averages of over 20 points and 10 rebounds a game," said Stefanski. "Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan and a fellow named Garnett in Boston; [Elton] is the other guy."

Brand has previous history with a current Sixers player during his tenure in Los Angeles. Remarkably, the chemistry between both teammates helped turn Brand into a perennial All-Star.

"[In Los Angeles] I played with Andre Miller and ironically that was my first All-Star Game," said Brand.

On the first day with his new team, Brand already envisions a bright future for the Sixers organization.

"I see myself fitting [in numerous ways] on the court," said Brand. "Of course low post production, rebounds, defense and helping [my team] get to that next level. They made the playoffs without my assistance, so I am looking to provide bigger and brighter things for sure."

Brand was the number one overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft out of Duke University. In his sophomore season at Duke, Brand was the consensus National Player of the Year and the ACC Player of the Year while also receiving First Team All-American honors by the Associated Press.