By ART THOMPSON III
The Orange County Register
EL SEGUNDO -- Clippers star forward Elton Brand will travel to Delaware a week from today for a medical re-evaluation on his left Achilles' tendon. Brand will be examined by Dr. Craig Morgan, who performed the surgery to repair Brand's ruptured Achilles' tendon last August.
Brand has been on a progressive rehabilitation program since his protective boot was removed in October. In addition to weight training, he also does cardiovascular training and has been doing limited courtwork that includes ball handling, passing and form shooting.
The Clippers have purchased a new, state-of-the art treadmill machine that Brand hopes he will be medically cleared to begin training next week.
Brand said the toughest thing for him now is not being able to contribute to a team that is mired in a five-game losing streak and a skid in which the Clippers have dropped nine of the past 11 games.
"It's very difficult being hurt and watching, and not being able to help,'' Brand said after Monday's practice at Spectrum South Bay. "When we were 4-0 and doing well, it was kind of easy to watch. All I had to do was root and be happy. Now, it's definitely tough.''
Although he will not travel with the team, until he is cleared for more extensive basketball activity, Brand is at every practice, in the locker room before home games, and on the team bench for home games.
"I try to keep morale as high as possible,'' he said, "and work on my stuff, so that when I am able to come back, I can join the process as soon as possible.''
Brand said he has gained at least 10 pounds of muscle from the program that Clippers strength and conditioning coach Rich Williams designed for him. But Brand said he does not want the weight gain to take away any of his quickness.
He continues to point toward February for his return to action.
"I'm not trying to target any particular date,'' Brand said. "But (February) would be the six-month time table and this is a 6-8 month injury, so I was trying to target the closest date.''
The Clippers certainly miss the scoring, the rebounding and the blocked shots that Brand's game has produced on a consistent basis, throughout his eight-year career.
"I definitely miss playing, of course,'' Brand said, "but also the (comradeship), being on the road with the team, competition, bonding with your teammates and trying to win games. I definitely miss that, a lot.''
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Orange County Register - Original Story