October 20, 2016
The Old School Chevy has finally run out of gas.
On Thursday, Sixers forward Elton Brand announced his retirement from the NBA after 17 seasons with five different teams.
"After 17 years playing game I love I'm officially retiring. It's been a wonderful journey. It's been an honor and a privilege." pic.twitter.com/Jb9wt00tMB
— Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) October 20, 2016
Brand had not played in a single preseason game for the Sixers, but his on-court contributions were not the reason he was re-signed this offseason. Instead, the 37-year-old veteran was brought on because he could play the role of mentor to the team's trio of young big men, Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel.
The Sixers first acquired Brand as a free agent following his 2007-08 season with the Clippers. That was also the year the NBA vet underwent Achilles surgery that directly correlates with a downward trend in his production. After four seasons with the Sixers, Brand spent one in Dallas and two in Atlanta before returning to Philly last season.
A two-time NBA All-Star, the Duke product was the Bulls' first-overall pick in the 1999 draft and posted career averages of 15.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 50 percent shooting.
| TM | FG% | REB | AST | BLK | PTS | |
| 99-00 | CHI | .482 | 10.0 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 20.1 |
| 00-01 | CHI | .476 | 10.1 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 20.1 |
| 01-02 | LAC | .527 | 11.6 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 18.2 |
| 02-03 | LAC | .502 | 11.3 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 18.5 |
| 03-04 | LAC | .493 | 10.3 | 3.3 | 2.2 | 20.0 |
| 04-05 | LAC | .503 | 9.5 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 20.0 |
| 05-06 | LAC | .527 | 10.0 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 24.7 |
| 06-07 | LAC | .533 | 9.3 | 2.9 | 2.2 | 20.5 |
| 07-08 | LAC | .456 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 17.6 |
| 08-09 | PHI | .447 | 8.8 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 13.8 |
| 09-10 | PHI | .480 | 6.1 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 13.1 |
| 10-11 | PHI | .512 | 8.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 15.0 |
| 11-12 | PHI | .494 | 7.2 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 11.0 |
| 12-13 | DAL | .473 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 7.2 |
| 13-14 | ATL | .539 | 4.9 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 5.7 |
| 14-15 | ATL | .442 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 2.7 |
| 15-16 | PHI | .431 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 4.1 |
| Career | .500 | 8.5 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 15.9 |
But after a long and successful career, he's apparantly seen too many miles and is ready to make the move from an antique to a classic car -- for real this time.
Elton Brand announces his retirement after 17 @NBA seasons.
— Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) October 20, 2016
[ 🎥 » https://t.co/BnHcYsCAPQ ] pic.twitter.com/MCMSe59EFM
Whether or not that next step includes a position within the Sixers organization remains to be seen. However, it would be strange for the Sixers to sign Brand for a $1 million in the offseason only for him to retire before the start of the regular season, without them having a plan for him to remain involved in the organization in some respect.
Here's a look back at some of his career highlights:
More to come...
