How good historically was Elton Brand's prime?

[sundizz]

He had a 3 year prime from age 25 to 27 (2004 to 2007). In the regular season he put up:

2004-05 (81 games): 20 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, .8 spg, 2.1 bpg on 50%, 75%
2005-06 (79 games): 24.7 ppg, 10 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1 spg, 2.5 bpg on 52% and 78%
2006-07 (80 games): 20.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.0 spg, 2.2 bpg on 53% and 76%

Playoffs (only one year out of those 3)
2005-2006 (12 games): 25.4 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 4.0 apg, .9 spg, 2.6 bpg on 55% and 75%

Given you know that is what he does for 3 years....if there was a draft of all available current players which ones do you take over him for the next 3?

1. Lebron
2. KD
3. Curry
4. Brand
5. Bunch of others?

anyone else?

[QuebecBaller]

He was a top 10 PF in those years I think, but I would not compare him with every player, he wasn't a superstar

[MC Gusto]

If David Lee was good on defense, that's Elton Brand's prime.

[Haymaker]

He was a PF Al Jefferson.

[Verticality]

2006 is about #4 or #5 in the league, and arguably the best PF in the game. 2005 and 2007 he is around #10, and behind Griffin, LMA, and Love.

[SCdac]

Really great big in an era with lots of em (Duncan, Shaq, KG, Dirk, Webber, Yao, etc), probably gets lost in the mix. Wasn't a franchise savior necessarily, not the tallest big man, but his impact was solid, great jumper, and good defender for sure.

made a thread last year comparing the offense between brand, amare, and dwight. Despite not being a superstar or HOF'er think Brand's prime is looked at favorably.
http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310436

[imdaman99]

I read that he was the #1 player ahead of K Love in best stats without making the playoffs his first 6 years...

I watched him play and thought he was good, but he was far from the impact player that Dirk, Webber or KG were, much less Duncan.

[Shep]

2006 is about #4 or #5 in the league, and arguably the best PF in the game. 2005 and 2007 he is around #10, and behind Griffin, LMA, and Love.
you are pretty close.

2005: top 20 overall, top 5 power forward
2006: top 5 overall, top 3 power forward
2007: top 12 overall, top 3 power forward

[NauruDude]

about the same as kobe mofokka

[Magic 32]

I only remember one great game from him:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200605080PHO.html

and they lost.

[Smoke117]

He had a 3 year prime from age 25 to 27 (2004 to 2007). In the regular season he put up:

2004-05 (81 games): 20 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, .8 spg, 2.1 bpg on 50%, 75%
2005-06 (79 games): 24.7 ppg, 10 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1 spg, 2.5 bpg on 52% and 78%
2006-07 (80 games): 20.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.0 spg, 2.2 bpg on 53% and 76%

Playoffs (only one year out of those 3)
2005-2006 (12 games): 25.4 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 4.0 apg, .9 spg, 2.6 bpg on 55% and 75%

Given you know that is what he does for 3 years....if there was a draft of all available current players which ones do you take over him for the next 3?

1. Lebron
2. KD
3. Curry
4. Brand
5. Bunch of others?

anyone else?

It's a short lived prime and how he got better was that he became an absolute money jump shooter from the mid post and he lost weight and became more mobile. I didn't have nba ticket when he was on the Bulls but I remember when he came to the Clippers and he was more of a bruiser and a ferocious offensive rebounder. As that shot developed and became a weapon around that 05 year and he slimmed down is when he became a really dangerous scorer. In 07 he actually isn't any worse than he was in 06...he just took less shots. He also was a very good defender (best on the team) and showed the ability as a player to raise his game in the playoffs as you see by what you posted. One of my favorite players to watch before he got injured.

[NustABut]

One of my all time favorite players... He was a tough no-nonsense post bruiser, with an automatic jump shot from 18 feet and in, had true post moves and was still able to drop 25 a game even at 6-9 (Maybe even closer to 6-8) with his long ass wingspan.

Every time I see him play now it's really tough to watch, he and C-Mag had the clips first resurgence, albeit a short one. :(

[JohnnySic]

Textbook 4. At his peak only Duncan and KG were clearly above him.

[CLTHornets4eva]

Similar to fellow Dookie Carlos Boozer.

[NustABut]

Similar to fellow Dookie Carlos Boozer.

Only about 5 times better on defense :facepalm

[-Lebron23-]

If I have a good PnR point guard, I'd take him very high, otherwise, outside top 15-20.

He was already good before him but Sam Cassell made this guy a few millions.