National Basketball Association

Collins says Sixers' Brand can play big at center

Published Oct. 12, 2010 10:08 a.m. ET

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For anyone clamoring for the 76ers to bolster their frontcourt so they can set better screens, coach Doug Collins has two words:

John Stockton.

Collins used the Utah Jazz's Hall-of-Fame guard as an example Monday, saying Stockton is "one of the best screeners in NBA history.

"So, I don't think you have to be some big guy to set screens. I think you have to be willing to go down and put your body on somebody, and that's what we've been emphasizing. We have to help each other get open."

Of course, it would help to have someone the size of Shaquille O'Neal, Boston's 7-foot-1 center, Collins noted. But in Tuesday night's home exhibition against the Celtics, the Sixers will have to make do with 6-8 Elton Brand at center.

"I'm ready," Brand said. "Do what I got to do. . . . It's not ideal, but we had a lot of stops [Saturday] when I was at that position, even with [New Jersey's 7-1] Brook Lopez and all those shooters on the court. So I'm encouraged by it."

On Oct. 6 against the Celtics, the Sixers lost the game, 93-65, and 7-1 center Spencer Hawes, who has been out ever since with a lower back sprain. He did not practice Monday and will not play Tuesday.

Veteran big man Tony Battie has been limited because of right-knee inflammation, but he will suit up Tuesday after practicing with the team at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Collins was encouraged during the Sixers' 90-89 loss to New Jersey, which features Lopez, an all-star center. The Sixers had a 47-43 rebounding edge.

"The one thing I saw with that group the other day - they rebounded well," Collins said. "There was no Shaq and no [Kevin] Garnett, or anybody out there, but we'll see [Tuesday]."

Communication skills. Collins stayed on the sideline during the team's scrimmage Monday, encouraging the players to communicate better.

"When you talk to each other, you won't have to hear my voice as much," Collins explained. "If you're making mistakes . . . you'll [have to] talk to each other. I don't want my voice to become noise."

The tactic produced what Collins said was the best hour of practice since he took over as coach.

Snow in the booth. Former Sixers guard Eric Snow will join the club's broadcasting team on Comcast SportsNet, the station announced.

Snow, who replaces Ed Pinckney (now an assistant coach with Chicago), will work alongside Marc Zumoff.

Contact staff writer Mario Aguirre at 215-854-4550 or maguirre@phillynews.com.

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