Elton Brand Talks New Role, Embiid, Sixers

Elton Brand, who recently accepted the position of GM of the Delaware 87ers, spent most of last season as a player development consultant for the Sixers. He was able to work closely with upper management during the pre-draft combine process and through that experience, he realized where he wanted to be during his post-playing career.

“Being in those high-level meetings with Josh Harris, David Blitzer and Bryan Colangelo really piqued my interest,” Brand said (via Jessica Camerato of Comcast Sportsnet). “I like this, I could really work basketball instead of playing it.”

Brand sought out the advice of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and Sixers special advisor Jerry Colangelo among others to prepare for the role. He knows it will be a different kind of challenge than the ones he faced during his playing career.

“It’s a totally different mindset and a totally different type of energy,” he said. “I’m discussing players and trades and the business side of it. I was exhausted yesterday. Basketball is one thing, but it was a different kind of tired. I’m looking forward to growing in that aspect.”

Brand started the 2016/17 campaign as a player in Philadelphia before easing into his former front office role. He’s familiar with the organization and he plans on implementing the same offense and defensive schemes as coach Brett Brown. Such familiarity will be even more crucial as players on the newly designed two-way deals shuffle between the NBA and the G-League.

The Duke product added that he will miss being around his former Sixers teammates. Brand spent time with Joel Embiid, who is a candidate for an extension, this summer and  he told reporters at his press conference that the Cameroon native has been “working his butt off.” 

The Sixers are expected by many to take a leap forward and some optimistic fans believe the team could make the postseason for the first time since the 2011/12 campaign. Brand cautions that the team is still young and inexperienced, but believes the hype surrounding the team is warranted.

“It’s going to be a process that we will trust.” Brand said. “But it’s going to get there. We’re going to get there for sure.”