WOW. Dunleavy gets text from E Brand...

[gold_leader64]

Are you people too blind by your hatred of Brand to not see the SPIN that the Clips are doing.

What part of the owner saying "we'll we don't care if you take it or not" that you can't understand why Brand left. He didn't feel the love brother.

Trust us, we have seen spin plenty of times to know what spin is. This is spinning at its best.

This supposed quote is not consistent with either account. Why would the owner say that, and then offer a better deal? If he was happy either way at 70 mil, and would have been content with Brand turning that down, then why would he OK a 80 mil offer? That doesn't make sense.

Falk and Brand took that offer as a "final" offer that was a take it or leave it ultimatum. How is that the case in a "negotiation" process if Falk said the "first" offer should be their "last" offer? Does that make sense to you, that in a negotiation process, that LA would only make one offer? Does it make sense after they went to get B Diddy for Brand? Why would they do that and then stonewall him on a contract?

LA's side of the story is more reasonable and believable. It's also more believable with some of the comments from Falk and Brand. The initial "handshake" deal that Brand had was without the knowledge of Falk, and once he found out about it, he was pissed.

This is a quote from Falk: "I didn't know it then, I know it now," Falk said. "I know it after the fact. It's probably the reason that the deal fell apart."

Brand even backs this up with this: "It's negotiations. No matter what was said, David Falk, my registered agent, never agreed to any deal"

So, Brand's comments are consistent with LA's side where Mike said that Falk was the reason the initial agreement didn't go down.

That's consistent with Mike, who said: "I don't know what poisoned Elton against us. But obviously something did. I loved Elton as a player. I'm disappointed and hurt that he left us, but I wish him the best in his future career in Philadelphia."

Brand had an agreement without Falk. Falk found out, and got in Brand's ear about getting a better deal. LA offered the deal that Brand wanted. Brand and Falk refused the deal. Brand and Falk heard about other interest, and got Philly to make a great offer, and wanted to go there. Brand and Falk are now saying that LA's initial offer was an ultimatum, and using that as an excuse to leave because it really wasn't an ultimatum.

Brand reiterated that he felt the Clippers' first offer was a take-it-or-leave it demand: "That's exactly what it was. Or that's what they said it was. And then, they came back and matched. But it's like, 'OK, do that the first time.' "

Dunleavy said the Clippers never got the proper chance, because the communication lines had been cut.

Brand is just doing spin control to make it seem like it's LA's fault that he's not there. He just wanted to go to Philly, and there's no reason to lie about it, but he's trying to save face.

[jw_bskball]

I think this is what happened:

1. At the end of season, David Falk told Clippers that EB would resign at 6/120 mil this year after he opted out. If not, then the price would jump to 6/150 mil next summer. Falk knows there is no realistic chance that EB would get that kind of contract, but was hoping to get the contact around 6/90+ mil.

2. Clippers refused to offer a 6 year contract, countered with 5 year contract with ETO and/or no trade clause.

3. EB told clippers that he would opt out so they can go after BD. He also indicated that he is looking for 5/75 mil contract. Clippers agreed and signed BD.

4. Falk was pissed that Clippers went behind his back. He insisted on the 6th year and started contacted GS and Philly for possible contract offer.

5. Clippers steadfastly refused to add 6th year. At some point EB was offended. With offer from Philly and east coast advantage, he decided to jump ship.

I think the 6th year is the straw that break camel's back. Bottom line, it is about money and security.

[rsavaj]

Did you guys hear Elton's response? He really doesn't address the issue head on: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/index#

[mkwest]

It's funny that he says he talked to Baron throughout the process. Baron said BB pretty much turned off his phone. I read all these posts about the outside fans saying that Clipper fans are whining about him leaving. For me it's not even about that. A free-agent is free to go where he chooses. BB chose Philly. That's fine. Does it suck for the Clips? Yes it does because we lose one of the game's best power forwards and our former franchise player.

For me it wasn't the act, but the manner of the act. I just don't appreciate the way it was all handled. He changed his mind about being here. He should have just said that he felt the best situation for his family and he was to play in Philly. His wife and he are from the East and that he thinks he has an opportunity to do yada yada yada. That's understandable and fair. What I don't like is the mudslinging that he and his agent felt compelled to do. They threw Dunleavy under the bus, they pretty much threw cheapshots at other officials which all point to him wanting his actions to be justified rather than just him actually wanting to be in Philly. Just say you felt Philly was best for you. You had already put your house on the market so it was definitely on your mind even if it wasn't set in stone from the jump.

To everyone voicing their opinions about any Clipper fan complaining. Just as he had his right to choose where he ended up, we have our right to express ourselves as a result of his decision.

[madmaxmedia]

I am with you there. I am actually 100% okay with him leaving, even if he originally said he would stay or whatever. He was a free agent, it was always his perogative to leave if he chose to.

But the mudslinging is uncalled for. I think Elton got caught between the Clipper FO and Falk, and he ended up having to choose sides. Of course he's going to back up his agent's story. But he could have still gone to Philadelphia, and insisted to Falk that they play it straight with the press.