'Brand' name a new game for Sixers

Excuse us if we drool awhile over the Sixers’ signing of Elton Brand.

Yes, most fans are ecstatic that the team stepped up big time and signed the top free agent on the market.

But for people who do what I do for a living, there’s another reason to react to the signing with glee. It’s his name. Brand. Yes, it’s a headline writer’s dream.

Let’s see, we’ve already used several of them, including a “Brand” new era for the Sixers, “Brand-oh,” “Name Brand,” and the list goes on. It might take us a while to use all these.

Then there’s his first name. Elton, like the singer’s. Hence the hed on our game story inside the paper today: “Elton and Philly, a circle of love?” Get it? Elton John? Circle of love?

It’s enough to bring a smile to a crusty old editor’s face.

But the reality is there’s another reason to smile for Philly fans today. Did you catch any of the Elton Brand show yesterday? The guy was magnificent.

He was dressed impeccably, spoke about his reasons for coming to the city, about how he wants to win a championship, about his health (he’s coming off an Achilles heel injury that sidelined him much of last season), and about those who think the Sixers should have taken a younger player such as Atlanta’s Josh Smith. He’s even got a good sense of humor.

It’s a huge step ahead for the Sixers and puts them in position to contend with Boston and Detroit in the Eastern Conference. It also puts them back in the spotlight in terms of Philly sports. This team is now going to be talked about. They no longer will be an afterthought. They will be right there on the Back Page, battling with the Eagles, Flyers and Phillies for the fans’ attention.

If anything, it’s amazing how quickly the sands shift in Philly sports. The Eagles just might be on the bottom looking up as they head to camp in a couple of weeks.

And one other thing. All of this Sixers’ hoopla has its roots right here in Delaware County.

It became clear soon after Ed Stefanski joined the team as their GM that he had a plan. Yesterday, he executed it perfectly.

Stefanski was looking for a “Brand” name to improve the Sixers fortunes, to provide the kind of low-post presence this team has lacked forever.

Yesterday he delivered the goods.

Yep, it’s a “Brand” new era for the Sixers.

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