Elton Brand Makes Progress

It was an encouraging sign for a team in need of one. Elton Brand stood near a basket, then jumped off both feet ever so slightly while shooting a hook shot. The Clippers' franchise forward, who ruptured his left Achilles' tendon in the off-season, is still months away from game action, but Monday was the first time Brand has left his feet since the injury. "It felt good," Brand said. "Light jump shots, shooting, ballhandling, defensive slides earlier. Everything was real low impact. It was a big step for me today.