Unless Brand demands a trade, wouldn't the Clippers be trying to find themselves players to build around him with? They didn't trade Brand to get Andre Miller. I can understand why Steve Francis might be a better attraction for a perrenial losing team who's owner doesn't care for winning, but with Dunleavy at the helm, I think they are slightly more serious. So, can someone please explain to me why the Clips trade such an important piece like Brand without a true replacemant waiting in the wings?
The Clips could wind up with Okafor. The Clips already have Wilcox and Ely plus Kamen. All still on rookie contracts. Brand is a max player, same contract as SF. The questions are-- is Brand enough to get back for SF? How well would he pair up with Yao?
I guess we'll have to wait til the lottery to find out then. I don't think Wilcox and Ely have shown that they could step it up as starters. Speaking of Okafor, anybody else have this dread building in them that the Bulls will end up with the #1 overall pick?
No. Francis loses his BYC status on June 30 and trading begins July 14th. It may be a good idea to bookmark this thread: http://bbs2.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=1345134#post1345134
Why is that 'dread'? They would take Okafor. Hawks will take the HS'er, their 'Bron-Bron', Howard. BTW - if I were offered Chandler in an overall deal I could stomach I would welcome him in a New York minute. He is a terrific offensive rebounder and I still love his upside. My question about him is his back, and that is a big question! (Cato for TC and the horrible contract and attitude of ERob? Done, provided TC's back 'allows' it.)
QUOTE]So, can someone please explain to me why the Clips trade such an important piece like Brand without a true replacemant waiting in the wings?[/QUOTE] First of all, they could not win with him as the first option and he make most money of that team(2 Years in a row). He can always get his numbers, but he cannot make teammates around him better. Secondly, he is not the (vocal) leader of that team although he makes most money in that team. The losing attitude of that team can only be changed with some serious shake up. He will be a nice second banana in a winning team.
Of course, one could say that Stevie and JJ were overly wreckless, while Yao was overly cautious. Either way, mistakes are mistakes. Yao might need to step up, but some of our other guys needs to tone it down.
Are you kidding? The Clipps are the ones that should be asking if SF is enough to get back for Brand. If you haven't noticed, the most dominant position in the WC is PF
i have no idea what steve's trade value is but it would be difficult for me to trade francis for brand because i wouldn't be able to contain my tears of joy long enough to keep the wool pulled over the clippers eyes before the deal got completed
I don't think the Clips would be interested in Francis, unless they lose on the Kobe sweepstakes. They would be interested in moving Brand, in order to get something of significant value, and develop cap room to go after Kobe. Brand has not taken them to the next level. That's why I've been convinced we need to trade Stevie to someone like CHI or WAS to get one of the top 3 draft picks, and another player we can keep or trade. Then, using our TE, with the draft pick, Sterling might let loose of Brand, with Wilcox in the wings. Francis and Ming are franchise players. Francis may not be that great of a PG, but he is a great player, and can take over games, as any franchise player should. Brand doesn't really do that from the PF position, like a Garnett or Duncan. But, he's incredibly consistent with high output on a weak team, and would be very valuable next to Ming.
Actually, it seems that Brand and Francis have been running neck and neck since they were drafted and I think they are still pretty close to equal value now. I'm not sure either team has any right to demand extra in a swap. Of course, I think Brand is being paid slightly less, so they'll need to give us something.
I agree. The only difference I see is Brand is a Big...and usually Bigs are more valuable than smalls if all things are equal. But their contracts are similar and the statistical production is similar. Brand is just a better fit in Houston with Yao than Francis. I dont think Brand is a #1 guy. He seems like a #2 guy to me. So Brand being the #1 guy for the Clippers just doesnt seem like it will work long term. They have Wilcox, so they have someone that is MUCH cheaper. You would think they might look into moving Brand if they could.
"You go to a great deal of trouble to explain something of little consequence"................... From the movie "Tequila Sunrise"
In my estimation of the two, I was taking Brand's position into account. I think Francis is actually the better player, but I have to give Brand some credit for the position he plays. Actually point guards are of good value as well, but Francis is more of a SG (in that measure anyway). As for the often-cited proposition that a good power forward is a better fit than Francis in the backcourt, I have to really wonder. Certainly on defense, it'd be good to have someone like Brand who can bring some tough defense and strong rebounding. However, on offense I think Brand would bring some Barkley/Olajuwon sort of redundency. Only one can be in the low block; the other guy will have to give some space to keep his man from doubling. This would also be the case with a slasher like Francis, except that the clear-out for a drive lasts a mere moment whereas it'll take a post-up guy several seconds to work his position. The true complement at PF, I think, is a guy who is a decent midrange shooter who concentrates on rebounds and defense. The true complement at 2nd star is a sweet-shooting swingman, a la Peja or Reggie Miller.
