Brand Almost All the Way Back

Judging by his productivity over the last three weeks, Elton Brand is fully recovered after sitting out 13 games because of a broken right foot.

In nine starts since making his return in a 19-minute relief appearance against the Utah Jazz on Dec. 4, the Clipper forward has averaged 18.2 points and 13.1 rebounds over 37 minutes a game. He has made 51.2% of his shots.

But Brand said he’s not there yet.

“It’s getting close,” he said of his return to 100% effectiveness. “I still have times where you try to explode and your legs aren’t what you’re used to.

“But it’s definitely almost there.”

So, is he a little surprised by the numbers he has posted?

“Actually, I am,” he said. “You know, missing five weeks during the season is a lot, especially with a broken foot, where I couldn’t be on the court, couldn’t run. I had two or three practices and I’m in the game. So, definitely I’m surprised.

“But I’m driven. I was driven to come back and help the team.”

During training camp, Coach Mike Dunleavy noted Brand’s dogged pursuit of rebounds, combined with a soft scorer’s touch under the basket, and called him, enthusiastically, “Dennis Rodman with offense.”

This week, he gave the 6-foot-8, 265-pound Brand an upgrade.

“The only other guys I’ve seen with a determination like his are Rodman and Moses Malone, and more Moses because he’s got offensive skills; he can score,” said Dunleavy, who played five seasons with Malone, a three-time most valuable player and 12-time All-Star. “It’s pretty amazing [because] he’s not overly athletic.”

Instead, Brand relies on guile and grit, outworking mostly taller opponents in efforts that leave him drained afterward, his knees encased in ice bags and his right foot soaking in ice water, but that also bring respect.

After Tuesday night’s game at San Antonio, during which Brand scored 22 points on nine-of-11 shooting and took 13 rebounds in a losing effort against the Spurs, Tim Duncan sent a ball boy into the Clipper locker room.

His request: He wanted an autographed shoe from Brand.

“He’s a workhorse,” Dunleavy said of Brand. “He’s got three big things going for him: He’s got long arms and big hands, and he’s got a tremendous heart.”