Brand Has Reason for Optimism

So what if it has been only a few days and the Clippers haven’t done much more in training camp than add a few new wrinkles to their offense and defense. So what if they don’t play an exhibition until Wednesday at Seattle.

So what.

Elton Brand has seen enough of his new teammates, and he is pleased.

No, make that overjoyed.

“We have a lot of talent, a lot of talent,” he said. “I think one through five and even on the bench. I don’t know who is starting, but there’s going to be some talent out there. It’s a little early to assess our chances, but we have to have one of the most talented young teams in the league.”

Like many people who watch him play, Brand is particularly impressed with forward Lamar Odom.

“That versatility, at 6 feet 10, is very rare,” Brand said. “He can play point guard because he handles the ball so well, and he definitely can play center with that sweet jump hook. He is one of the few guys who could play every position.”

Getting a chance to play with Odom, a childhood friend, was one of the reasons Brand accepted a trade June 28 by the Chicago Bulls to the Clippers. There was no one with Odom’s skills on the woebegone Bulls’ roster.

The first few days of training camp at the College of the Desert have reinforced Brand’s belief that heading to the Clippers was his best move. Asked specifically for his impressions of Coach Alvin Gentry, Brand said: “We have a lot of young players here, and we mess up a lot. To get his point across, he has to be stern.”

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Gentry gave the players Friday off, giving Brand a chance to rest his sore left knee. Darius Miles, who did not practice Thursday because of a sprained left thumb, could be ready to play today.

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Tickets for individual games go on sale today at 10 a.m. at the Staples Center box office and through TicketMaster.