On the Beat: Brand Bids Farewell, This Time for Good

CAMDEN, NJ – Every vintage vehicle – old school Chevy or not – gets to a point where performance starts to slow, regardless of how well it's been maintained. The motor runs, and the car can still drive, but the machine ultimately becomes more suited for back roads than highways.In the context of being a professional basketball player, Elton Brand knows he's arrived at a similar crossroads. After reversing course twice within the past 10 months, he understands this time, there's no turning back. Thursday, following practice at the 76ers' training complex, the 37-year old power forward revealed his intent to retire upon the conclusions of the preseason. “After 17 years of playing the game that I love, and it's been great to me, I am officially retiring,” said Brand, sporting a grey suit, white shirt, and a red, white, and blue checkered tie. His wife and two young children joined him for the announcement, while Sixers players, Brett Brown, Bryan Colangelo, and other members of the organization stood in the background, there to show support.”It's been a privilege to play this game, and I'm certainly going to miss it,” Brand said, “ut it's definitely time now, after heavy consideration with coach Dickey Simpkins, he was my vet when I came into the game, and he told me, 'Rookie, it goes fast rook.' And I'm just like, 'Whatever old guy, I'm 20 years old.'”Now, I am 37, going on 38. It went by fast. It was a whirlwind, but I really enjoyed it.”