A Warm Homecoming for Brand and a Friend

CHICAGO — Although he was a Bull for only two seasons, and dreary ones at that, Elton Brand left his mark on the city.

His homecoming Friday didn’t gain the national attention of those of Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson, who brought the city six titles and made the franchise a worldwide brand name. Brand, whose Bulls won nothing of note, turned the city on with his smile and his generosity, a fact underscored on the way to breakfast Thursday.

A homeless man moved toward Brand as a group of Clippers headed out on a crisp morning. Brand recognized the man immediately, returning his embrace as the other members of the group gaped in wonderment.

“He was waiting for me at the hotel,” Brand said, refusing to give the man’s name and a bit hesitant to divulge many details about him. “He was telling me about his kids and everything. He used to be homeless. Now he’s in a shelter.”

When he was in Chicago, Brand would see the man outside of restaurants and nightclubs, asking for money. One frigid night, Brand decided to press the issue. Did he want the money for drugs or alcohol?

Assured that the fellow was simply down and out and looking for a warm place to stay, Brand paid for him to spend a week at a downtown hotel, and gave him some spending money.

“I put him up for a while,” Brand said.

They formed a special bond.

Judging by the reaction of Bull fans Friday, they also formed an attachment to Brand. After all, he was about all they had to lift their spirits during the post-Jordan apocalypse.

A United Center crowd of 20,359 gave him a warm reception when he was introduced before the game. Long before tipoff, hundreds of kids and young adults crowded near the runway to the court, hoping for an autograph or hand slap from Brand.

“It was very nice to come back,” he said after the Clippers beat the Bulls, 94-90. “It was nicer to get a victory.”

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Elliott Teaford