News & Features

76ers Mini-Camp
Las Vegas, NV
Day 5: Thursday, July 10, 2008

SIXERS.COM received exclusive player reaction from the 76ers summer league mini-camp in Las Vegas regarding the team’s recent signing of forward Elton Brand.

Thaddeus Young

On the addition of Brand…

"I think it gives us an even better opportunity to get to the conference finals next year and just basically continue to win, like we did the second part of last season."

On how Brand will impact Young’s overall play…

"He’s a big guy that can run the court.  But the big thing I’ve noticed about him through watching him play is that when you pass him the ball, he’ll get it back to you.  That’s huge, because it shows he has a real knowledge of his strengths.  He knows defenses will collapse on him and that his teammates can get open because of that.  A lot of guys double him and that gives other players around the perimeter the chance to score."

Jason Smith

On the addition of Brand…

"He's a very good player and he's certainly going to make us a better team.  Personally, I think there is a lot a young player like myself can learn from a guy like Elton Brand.  He's been an All-Star and has been a 20-point, 10-rebound guy throughout his career.  He's got a strong mind and a strong body and he's coming off an injury, so I expect him to be relentless.  He'll be a great, great asset to our team."

On where this move puts the Sixers…
"It puts us right back in the thick of the playoff hunt and gives us the ability to go deeper into the playoffs."

On how Brand will fit into the Sixers’ style of play…

“We’re a run-and-gun team and he’s an athletic power forward, so he’ll be on the block in transition.  He’s going to be a leader on offense and on defense.”

Day 5 recap

Prior to Thursday's workout, as he made his way to the bus, Thaddeus Young had to make a pit-stop by the McDonald’s for a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich (for the record, it's the #4 meal).  But when Thad went to use his debit card at the register he was reminded this McDonald’s only took cash – appropriate for Vegas.

When Young got outside, he took a minute to take down his breakfast before climbing onto the bus.  As Young sat and ate the rest of his summer league teammates made their way out of the Palms Hotel to the bus. The Sixers team bus is located just past the food court at the Palms, which is where Sixers Head Coach Maurice Cheeks and the rest of his staff hold court each morning, prior to practice.  It also makes sense that the players consistently arrive early for the bus, in order to walk past the coaching staff and make a positive impression.

Upon arriving Spring Valley High School gym, the team learned they'd go through some drills and walk through some sets before their first scrimmage of mini-camp against the Detroit Pistons summer league team.  Coach Loyer reminded the team, "This will be the first time you guys get to play against a group other then yourselves.  Enjoy it and start to build on the work we've done.   Also remember, you guys have a chance to show us what you can do, as well as the Pistons."

After stretching and doing some shooting drills, the team embarked on a full-court layup drill, which is something that caters to the style of basketball the Sixers play.  Following this drill, the Sixers walked through some offensive and defensive sets, before word came from the Pistons' side of the gym that they were ready to go.

Throughout the first five minutesl, players' bodies and nerves were all over the place.  With his team trailing by nine with four minutes gone in the first period, Loyer called a time-out and had this advice for his players, "It's the first five minutes of a scrimmage, everyone just relax." 

The Sixers settled down and fought back, trimming the lead to as little as four.  Thaddeus Young took over at times, going one-on-one and to the basket on numerous occasions.  However, the play of the day came when Junior Harrington broke down his defender, spun towards the hoop and drew two defenders, before flipping the ball to a cutting Marreese Speights, who finished with the slam.

The scrimmage lasted just three quarters and the Sixers ended up on the short end of the workout.  But this was not about the score; it was about the team getting to finally play with one and other and figuring out what they needed to work on.

"Today we learned we still have some things to work on in practice," Smith said.  "But we can take a lot of positives from this and I think we'll get better and better as the days go on."

Roster Move: As the team prepares for its first game against Golden State tomorrow, the Sixers cut Jawann McClellan (University of Arizona) and Yemi Nicholson (University of Denver).  The team's Summer League Roster stands at 12.

For the latest photo coverage from inside practice, candid images from throughout the week and behind-the-scenes shots from mini-camp and Summer League, check out the Sixers' Flickr page.