If you were Baron Davis...

[campybatman]

...would you still sign with the Clippers knowing that Brand won't be your teammate next season? My impression was that Davis was confident that he and Brand would be teammates and Brand resigning with the Clippers was a near given based on his perceived sense of loyalty to Los Angeles. However, Brand deciding to sign with Philadelphia is another example that even a star player with a model character like Duncan could give in to the money. For me, it's tough to understand Brand's reasoning behind this sudden move other than he preferred his chances of being on a playoff team in the eastern conference as oppose to being on a team in the western conference who isn't exactly a winning franchise.

As a side not, this makes me appreciate players such as Paul Pierce for still being with the same franchise that drafted him and fortunately able to win a NBA championship while there. Pierce will likely retire a Celtic now. It stinks to see your team's star go. But, Clipper fans had to have seen this coming. Brand was simply stalling matters. It didn't look good from the get go. I don't blame Philadelphia nor do I Golden State for making him an offer. Hey, money talks... It's as simple as that. Whatever the true reasons are... Brand knows that. But, it might be for a while that you see another Reggie Miller (fifteen years a Pacer) in that despite an opportunity here or there to go to another team and chase a ring. He didn't... He'd criticized Payton and Malone publicly for going to the Lakers and even got tempted to go to Boston this season. Still, give Miller credit. At the end of the day... He didn't chase the ring. He'll remain in everyone's memory as an Indiana Pacer. That accomplishment is almost as valuable and should be admired as much as a championship ring itself. That's a rare quality in a NBA player nowadays. I mean you want to go for the money and then complain later that you want to win a championship. Seldom do star players have it both ways. Everyone can't be Duncan or even Pierce now. I understand that circumstances beyond a star player's control can dictate if he can remain with his original franchise or not. Still, if you can and you chose not to. What does that say about you, loyalty and the mighty dollar? Nothing wrong with getting as much as you can... But, how much is enough for you? When do you decide against the norm and say: You know, I prefer my situation here and the offer I've is somewhat less but it isn't an insult either.

I do feel bad for the Clipper fans that are a fan of Brand. But, Brand should still be a Bull in hindsight. So, both Bulls and Clippers fans can feel the sting, albeit Chicago fans should be upset with their front office and Clipper fans shouldn't. They'd tried from what it sounds like. It's just that Brand didn't have much control of his future in Chicago but he did have control of his future with the Clippers. And he took advantage of it. I don't blame him. I just wonder why he couldn't let the Clippers front office know from the start that there's a very good chance I'm leaving the team for more money and a different opportunity with another team. If the Clippers were working diligently to free up more salary to accommodate him financially. That tells me that they still felt he could return and not leave. Brand had them guessing... Personally, I feel like Davis should stick with his verbal commitment to sign with the Clippers and prove that the Clippers can compete for the playoffs despite him no longer being there. If you're the Clippers and you're trying to convince Davis by going after Josh Smith and subsequently overspending in the process. I think you're setting yourself up for another fall that could make the situation worst not better. Davis was sold on hope and not a promise that Brand would resign. The NBA is a business and Davis should know that. There aren't any guarantees in professional sports.

Awesome quotes...

I was shunned by Baron’s people. He nor his agent responded to the one question I had: With Brand going to Philly, is there ANY chance AT ALL that Baron goes back to the negotiating table with the Warriors? I got no love. A contact did tell me that the Clippers spent Tuesday evening talking to Baron, convincing him to stay, even working out the details of the contract (as well as preparing a fat offer sheet for Atlanta’s Josh Smith). They were pretty sure he was staying, but he was rumored to be livid over Brand’s Boozer impersonation.

Didn’t I say top-tier ballers don’t want to play for the Warriors? Brand turned down some $10 million more from the Warriors to go to … Philly! Dang. That was a straight slap in the face to the Warriors. Did the Warriors really think they were going to get a player better than Baron?

Speaking of Brand, he just went from one of the league’s character examples to supplanting Carlos Boozer as the face of reneging. Check this out - Brand, according to insider scuttle, turned down virtually the same amount from the Clippers. Los Angeles got up to $80 million and was willing to renounce more players if necessary to give Brand more. Still, he chose Philly.

http://www.ibabuzz.com/warriors/2008/07 ... -catch-up/

[bruno sundov]

they say davis really into movies and music. In the sense that he wants to produce this stuff at a high level after basketball. Plus LA is his home town. I think he will stay.

He should come to boston and split tim with ray and Rondo. Play for next to nothing. SO what if he has a trick back that he has to worry about.LOL

[eitanr]

It could be that Brand really had other issues with the Clippers organization. I don't think it was about the money since he didn't sign with the Warriors. Where is his hometown? Also, Brand has a better chance of making the Sixers contenders than the Clipps. Philly's plethora of youth tells Elton that the Sixers may only be getting better.

[MyInsatiableOne]

I think I speak for many when I say "so what" since both teams ain't gona do **** next year anyway.

[bruno sundov]

Youth doesn't win ballgames. We know that here. Also I think he the money was even at the end between LA and PHI so I don't know why He went to PHI. Very interesting.

[BillessuR6]

The best for him would be to sign with the Celtics for the MLE for 1 season and re-enter the market again next year when some more teams will have the cap space to sign him...

[campybatman]

It could be that Brand really had other issues with the Clippers organization. I don't think it was about the money since he didn't sign with the Warriors. Where is his hometown? Also, Brand has a better chance of making the Sixers contenders than the Clipps. Philly's plethora of youth tells Elton that the Sixers may only be getting better.

See, that's what I'm feeling as well. I'd eluded to that when I'd suggested that whatever the reasons are for Brand leaving. He knows those reasons. Perhaps, he was just tired of the front office not putting better players around him and putting the franchise in a better position to succeed each season. I mean Brand has been a double-double machine and only has what two All-Star appearances and one playoffs berth to show for it in seven seasons. My only question is: Will the grass be greener in Philadelphia? Because the Sixers still need to resign Iguodala and I believe Andre Miller will enter the final year of his contract next season.

How tough will the East be next season? It doesn't get much tougher than a Sixers team that now includes Elton Brand, Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, and a host of good, young talent. The Magic also greatly enhanced their roster today by agreeing to terms with Warriors free agent Mickael Pietrus.

It will be no easy task for the Celtics to repeat as Eastern Conference Champs . . .much less NBA Champs.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9402

[Cyclical]

Let me copy/paste my reply from another thread:

If you think Brand was the only reason Baron signed with the Clippers you're mistaken. Baron is from LA. He hangs out here any chance he can and was flying back-and-forth from SF all the time. I've seen him around town numerous times, lately hanging out a lot with Teri Hatcher. He has close ties to the movie industry and is getting heavily into producing. He's psyched to live in LA. I'm sure having Brand is what he wanted but by no means is it heart-breaking for him.

[sully00]

I don't think that Brand opting out was some wink wink with the Clippers. I think his opting out was a sign he was going to bolt if they didn't do something so they did. Did he tell them he would be willing to take less if they were able to sign someone like Davis sure.

Davis did what he did for money, he wanted an extension the Warriors were unwilling to give him. The fact that LAC renounced Brand to sign Davis was already a sign that they knew he might leave. Davis did what was best for him and Brand did what was best for him.

[Truthiracy]

If I'm Baron Davis I quit life since he can't even beat KevJumba one on one.

[campybatman]

It looks as if they lost Brand because he wanted out, which came as a shock since he always seemed true Clippers red, white and blue. On the other hand, Brand was a Clipper for seven seasons so even if it was the best time in their history, think how many bad days he saw as opposed to good days.

How it got to that point is a mystery. Brand had helped talk Baron Davis into signing with the Clippers, saying he would take less money to make it happen. Technically, Brand took a bigger offer from the 76ers, $82 million to the Clippers' $75 million. However, with Sterling giving his basketball people a blank check, the Clippers were going to dump enough players to get to $81 million. That offer was never relayed to Brand. The Clippers say at the end, agent David Falk stopped returning their calls. Whether the imperious Falk, who once represented Michael Jordan, did this for revenge or just because it felt good is a mystery. He did once vow to get the Clippers for not taking his client, Mike Bibby, with the No. 1 pick in the 1998 draft.

http://fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/57132



I wouldn't doubt it...

Those in the know thought there was no way Elgin Baylor could pass on Arizona's Mike Bibby -- a savvy point guard with NBA bloodlines -- and take a chance on Michael Olowokandi -- a soccer player who has been playing competitive basketball for only three years.

Bibby, who left Arizona after his sophomore season, has drawn comparisons to Jason Kidd for his playmaking skills. Many expected him to be drafted first overall, and he refused to hold a workout for any team other than the Clippers.

"It wasn't my decision. I went off what David [agent David Falk] told me, so it wasn't up to me," said Bibby, whose father, Henry, played several years in the NBA and now coaches Southern Cal. "Me being No. 1 was just a lot of talk and rumor, so I didn't expect anything."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basket ... aft_final/

[billfromBoston]

....Clips should throw the money at Okafor...forget J Smooth..he's not a low-post player at all

[phoolishly_insane]

Does that mean Davis can sign elsewhere since he hasn't signed the Clippers contract?

[Gomes3PC]

But bill, they have Kaman down low. Wouldn't Smith's athleticism and (improving) outside shooting compliment that well? Plus, Smith would fit in much better with Baron Davis' style than the plodding Okafor.

And yes, I think Baron can technically sign elsewhere, but everywhere else has already eaten up cap. He doesn't want to go back to GS and Memphis has about 9 PGs on the roster already. So it's stay at home for $65m in LA or take a HUGE paycut.

[phoolishly_insane]

Baron? taking a paycut? He needs to feed his family!

[NH_soxfan14]

I hope he doesnt ever shave that nice thick beard. Turn it into a Kimbo Slice beard.

[GreenGrizz]

In his situation, it is difficult. He is always hurt. If I were him, I would have gone to get a ring and make money later that is not the case for him. The Clippers are stupid. They are not going to go anywhere with him without a dominant big guy.

[sully00]

Baron Davis is 29 years old there is no "later" to make money.

I would rather Okafur than Smith but I don't run a team with Chris Kaman on it, he is a unique dude. Love him or hate him 15/12 is what it is if you can find sign an athletic super hero who can defend and block shots you may have the pieces to be special.

[Fencer reregistered]

they say davis really into movies and music. In the sense that he wants to produce this stuff at a high level after basketball. Plus LA is his home town. I think he will stay.

And he's involved with helping the African American community. (Running a charity even with P2 that Magic Johnson founded, making that movie last year, etc.) I suspect he feels that's at least as important as winning basketball games.

[bruno sundov]

Any community he goes to could use the help. He will get help one way or another. I just don't see Okafor going there. He might have missed out on his chance or is waiting to be an UFA next year.