Brand has always been a winner

By MARTIN FRANK • Gannett News Service • July 13, 2008 PHILADELPHIA — The Elton Brand the 76ers introduced us to last Wednesday was kind, caring and filled with smiles, almost like a cuddly teddy bear. The Sixers, of course, gave him 82 million reasons, or dollars, for that. They signed him to a five-year contract to anchor their front line, continue his career averages of 20 points and 10 rebounds per game and serve as a leader on and off the court. The Elton Brand that those closest to him have known for most of his life is all of that -- he once apologized to an older player for blocking his shot as an eighth grader -- and tough as nails, too. Brand put a dislodged tooth back into place as a freshman in high school and kept playing; as a preteen, he wasn't afraid to wear his taekwondo outfit or church clothes, or carry his... [read full story]