(Elton) Brand knows the fan base well. So, he has a pretty good idea what Sixers center Andrew Bynum is going through as the anticipated savior deals with knee problems that have prohibited him from taking the court yet this season.

“It’s tough as a player,” Brand said. “I came here with high aspirations, sort of similar to Bynum, and getting hurt was tough. But you have to keep grinding and try to get out there. I think it will turn out well for the city and well for the fans. Hopefully, he can get out there and play, if not this season, then next season and add his low-post presence to all those shooters they added.”

He also feels the pain of the Philly faithful.

“It might seem like the city is jinxed,” Brand said. “They were about to win the World Series [Phillies in 2008] and I think it snowed [to delay the title]. [Fans said] ‘God’s against us’. But they ended up winning that World Series and I think the basketball team will eventually turn that corner and guys will be healthy and they’ll turn it around. It’s just been some bad luck.”

via Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News