76ers' New Brand Is That of a Contender

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 29 -- In the less than two years since Allen Iverson was dealt to Denver, another A.I. (Andre Iguodala) has helped lead the Philadelphia 76ers back into the postseason and another all-star player (Elton Brand) has replaced Iverson as the smiling face that covers the billboards and the sides of buses throughout the city. And as yet another sign of how far the 76ers have moved beyond the Iverson era, the team on Monday decided to look back even further in its past.

Brand and Iguodala -- the two players General Manager Ed Stefanski locked up this summer for more than $160 million -- attempted to re-create a photo from the cover of an old 1980s media guide that featured Julius Erving leaning on the shoulders of a seated Moses Malone: Iguodala played the role of Erving, Brand of Malone.

Brand and Iguodala aren't expected to lead the 76ers to an NBA championship this season -- as Erving and Malone did in 1983. But the addition of Brand -- a nine-year veteran and two-time all-star who signed a five-year, $82 million deal after a messy divorce with the Clippers -- quickly changed the perception of the 76ers from spunky, up-and-coming underdog to a team that can contend in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia made a surprising playoff run and pushed conference finalist Detroit to six games in the first round, then Stefanski upped the ante by luring away Brand and keeping his young nucleus intact by re-signing restricted free agents Iguodala and Louis Williams.

"I've been in that position where we weren't expected to do much," Iguodala said. "This year is a little different. You've got to really be on point every night. Nobody is really looking past us."

Brand is one of just four players in the NBA with career averages of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, but he has likely never been under more scrutiny than he will face in Philadelphia. He started his career with the post-Jordan Chicago Bulls, then spent the next seven seasons with the mostly woebegone Clippers. And, despite his gaudy career numbers, Brand has only made one playoff appearance -- in 2005-06, when the Clippers advanced to the Western Conference semifinals. "It's pressure, but it's fun," Brand said. "That's why I play. It's exciting. You want someone to expect you to win. The city is definitely focused on me to be that leader, which I am able to be, but the end of the day, I want to win ballgames. If we're winning games, I'm sure the city is going to be happy."

Brand spoke of the importance of the 76ers winning as a team, not relying on one or two individuals. He also declared himself healthy after missing all but eight games last season because of a ruptured Achilles' tendon. "I'm ready to go. I can do everything everybody else will be doing, except for the rookies, who are carrying bags or whatever," Brand said.

The 76ers will grow more familiar with Brand this week in State College, Pa., where they will hold training camp at Penn State, but some of his teammates have learned enough about him during involuntary five-on-five pickup games this month. "In games to eight, he wants the ball at seven. It's understood," Williams said. "He'll let you have it one-through-[seven], but he wants it at seven. That's the type of competitor he is. He realizes what position he plays on this basketball team, and I think that's a role that he relishes."

Iguodala hadn't played with Brand until last week and said he has already been impressed with Brand's humility. "He can take and give criticism, which you don't see in a lot of superstars in this league or a lot of all-stars in this league," said Iguodala, who signed a six-year deal worth about $80 million this summer. "It's easier to play with a guy like that."

Asked if he could ever remember entering a season in which he was more excited, Brand stopped to ponder then said: "When I came to the Clippers from the Bulls [in 2001-02]. I had a chip on my shoulder, something to prove. I wanted to play really well and we had a really good season that year."

In Clipper Land, "really good" is relative. That season, the Clippers won 39 games and finished fifth in the Pacific Division. Brand did, however, make his first all-star appearance. The next season, he played alongside Andre Miller, with whom he is reunited in Philadelphia.

"It's a good feeling. It's an honor and a privilege to be part of an organization that has so much tradition and a heritage," said Brand, who has embraced Philadelphia so much that he reportedly bought a $3 million house used in the filming of "Rocky V." "It's a little surreal at times, because I was in Los Angeles so long. I'm excited to be here. The fans are passionate about their teams. That's why there is all the so-called pressure to play well. All eyes are on you in Philadelphia during basketball season. So that's definitely going to be different than playing with the Clippers and being in the Lakers, kind of, shadow."

Brand marveled at how much the conference has improved since he left seven years ago, adding the defending champion Boston Celtics remain the team to beat. "It's some tough teams in the East, but I think we can compete with all of them," Brand said before correcting himself. "I know we can compete with all of them."