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Again, is it me or Brand doesn't know how to pose for a picture? I kind of think someone close to him died on this day with how he looks. No smile, no beam. Nothing. Like he's depressed.

Had a 28-minute Q & A with Eddie Jordan today, followed by him putting a few writers through the basics of his offense (I was a 5-11 forward). Interesting stuff.

A few things Jordan said:

* on Brand: "It's going to take a while for him to get his game legs" after only playing in 37 games over the past two seasons;

* on Dalembert: "He's going to be our center. I like the fact he can make a shot around the elbow and the free-throw line. He has to be a willing passer. We'll see (if he is)."

* on what he does: "The system is constant at both ends. There's not going to be random basketball at either end. When I watch film (of last year's Sixers), there was a lot of random basketball."

* seeing how hard the players are working in September scrimmages "gets my energy going. I wanted to get camp started three weeks ago."

* asked if he had any interest in Allen Iverson, he just said, "No."

Dedicated_76ers_fan wrote:Again, is it me or Brand doesn't know how to pose for a picture? I kind of think someone close to him died on this day with how he looks. No smile, no beam. Nothing. Like he's depressed.

Brand was smiling and enjoying himself -- it's just a photo taken as he blinked.

Jordan's teams haven't been real good on defense, but he spent quite a bit of time emphasizing defense and talking about how "D" and rebounding get the fast-break offense going and feed off of unselfishness that also applies when the Sixers have the ball.

His three primary defensive points:

1) Aggressively guard the ball;

2) Protect the rim, thereby limiting layups, drives to the basket and put-backs;

3) Be good at defending the pick-and-roll.

"Defensive rebounding is the key, whether Elton is the 5 and Thad is the 4, or Sam is the 5 and Jason Smith is the 4," Jordan said.

tmoore wrote:A few things Jordan said:

* on what he does: "The system is constant at both ends. There's not going to be random basketball at either end. When I watch film (of last year's Sixers), there was a lot of random basketball."

A coach with honesty: Eddie Jordan, you're my new favorite coach. Exposing the mediocrity and the disgusting play of Isolation Basketball.

Goodbye, and Good Riddance to such a ugly, low caliber ball club.

Thanks Tom...nice to see Eddie talking about Smith as well. I think he's as key as Speights this season. His ability to defend and hit the perimeter jumper may make him a bigger piece of the puzzle than Speights...unless he improves his defense.

As far as Thad bulking up, he's a hard worker, and males generally can more easily develop muscle mass in their late teens/early twenties. He looks good in those pictures, but that is really not a shocker. Brand looks lean and trim as well.

Not sure I agree that Brand will take more time to get his game legs. The injury is nearing 2 years, he played/prepped for last season, and worked hard this off season to prep...he should roll into shape right along with the rest of the team.

He said he doesn't believe in isolation basketball and likes the Princeton offense because it gets everybody involved and rewards unselfishness.

Hey Tommy
If the draft were today and both Mo Speights and Jay Smith were available who would you Draft
I personally have high expectations for this years sixers
The last time I that i paid my comcast bill in person i had to stand in a line that was almost 10 New York City blocks long.
If every ones bill was compareable to my bill Comcast can offically be labeled RECCESSION proof.
Their was no excuse to not add a quality point guard (BALL HANDLER} this off season.
REAL GMS dont pass on talent because of Jrue Holiday.I would of liked to see the Carney Ivey money FLIPED into a better piece{ Flip murray, Rashard Mccannts} Although Willie green may be a decent human being locker room guy we genuinley need an upgrade at his position.
Theirs no excuse to not be a threat in the playoffs this year

sixersinsider wrote:Hey Tommy
If the draft were today and both Mo Speights and Jay Smith were available who would you Draft?

I'd probably say Speights, who has more of an upside -- especially with Smith coming off knee surgery. I think Speights will play more than Smith this year, though Smith should be in Jordan's rotation.

Jordan

* on Jason Smith: "He's had a terrific rehab (from a torn ACL). He's playing 5-on-5 very effectively at a high level."

* on Lou Williams: "We want him to attack. We want Lou to be Lou. We're not going to walk the ball up with him. We're going to give him every opportunity to be a 38-minute-a-game player."

* on when his first-year teams are comfortable running the Princeton offense: "Late in the season. That's when you want them to play your best."

Jordan on how much center Brand will play: "That's a coach's feel. I can't say if it'll be 15 minutes or 25 minutes. He has to learn the center position. Right now, he'll start at the forward position."

Iguodala, Young and Brand "always seem to be in every (starting) lineup" Jordan considers. "They're our core scorers," he said.

Jordan: "When we played basketball in the park, we didn't have three guys stand there on the wing (and watch). You're playing with your friends to help them and your team be successful."

On prognosticators: "They can see we're the next champions of the league or 30th. It doesn't motivate me."

On Young: "I think he's going to be an awesome player."

You can tell Eddie Jordan has a head for the game. He sees everything I saw in how the team was being constructed.

All we disagree on is Brand at C. And that's because the idea was tried last year: Didn't go so well.

These updates are appreciated, Tom. Thanks.

Dedicated_76ers_fan wrote:You can tell Eddie Jordan has a head for the game. He sees everything I saw in how the team was being constructed.

All we disagree on is Brand at C. And that's because the idea was tried last year: Didn't go so well.

I know he likes the idea of using Brand at C in end-game offensive situations, which would allow Kapono on the floor with the other expected starters (Williams, Iguodala, Young).

That makes sense, especially when you are doing offense/defense substitutions down the stretch. Although IMO the best way to win those tight games down the stretch is to put it in the hands of a clutch player as opposed to bringing more offensive weapons cold off the bench. But I guess those additional weapons help spread the defense out so your finisher can opperate.

As it stands now, I see Lou and Iguodala as good closers (Iguodala REALLY stepped up in that role last year.) But there is no reason why Thad can't also evolve into a finisher.

Lou was our best 4th quarter option 2 seasons ago. It would be nice if he could start heating up down the stretch again like he did 2 seasons ago.