by Brett Edwards
At least those are the chants of the fans at Staples nowadays, any time Elton Brand (or "EB" to the Clippers cognoscenti) shoots a free throw. Elton certainly has the early season numbers to back it up: season averages of 25 points and 10 boards, along with 56% shooting from the field and almost 3 blocks per game. Last night he put up 37 and 12 against a super-human Alonzo Mourning. Plus he received the all important Western Conference Player of the Month Award, so you know he's playing at a special level to receive one of the NBA's 200 regular season awards that are handed out.
All kidding aside, EB is playing at an elite level right now. The most interesting thing about his numbers is that most of his points don't come off of layups, dunks, or 2-foot post up shots. Elton has mastered the art of the short to mid-range jumper. He's been doing most of his damage with 10-18-foot jump shots! This makes him almost impossible to defend, because if teams start playing him close to shoot the jumper, he'll simply take them to the rack.
As far as an MVP for EB? That would be a monumental task. He would basically have to keep this up for the entire season, while leading the Clippers to their first playoff run in 13 years. At least we have one decent team to watch this season in L.A.
EB should buy Cassell a rollex, like running backs buy their offensive linemen, for all the 4th quarter points he gets this year. Jaric and Brunson both ignored Brand in the last 8 minutes of every game last year.
Posted by: Craig Kwasniewski | December 07, 2005 at 02:06 AM