Return Of The Old Heads: Elton Brand, Baron Davis Play Well In Season Debuts

During the mid 2000s, Elton Brand and Baron Davis were two of the NBA's better players during their time with the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors, respectively.

Brand, now in his 16th season as a pro, retired on his own terms in August but returned to the Sixers in January to help mentor some of the team's younger players. Davis was forced to take a couple years off after severely damaging his right knee while with the New York Knicks in 2012. Itching to return to pro basketball, he signed a contract with the D-League in January, and was acquired by the Sixers affiliate on Wednesday.

Both men, now age 36 and far removed for the prime of their careers, suited up for the first time this season on Friday, with Brand seeing action against the Miami Heat while Davis took on the Iowa Energy.

Brand was surprisingly effective during his time on the court, scoring 8 points (3-6 FG) and pulling down 4 rebounds in just 13 minutes.

Here it is... Elton Brand's first basket of the season! #SixersTalk https://t.co/oGxZV3uRyV

— Comcast SportsNet (@CSNPhilly) March 5, 2016

The shot certainly took a lot longer than it used to, but it still looks as silky as ever. Philadelphia ended up falling to Miami 112-102, but Brand's play certainly didn't hurt their chances.

Davis performed admirably in his first game in nearly four years, scoring 8 points and dishing out 4 assists in 19 minutes of action. His first two points came via a breakaway dunk, and it certainly a lot milder than when he used to attack the rim.

Welcome back, @BaronDavis!

Nearly 4 years since his last @NBA game, B-Diddy drops 8 points, 4 assists in 19 minuteshttps://t.co/9MpO4iz4Bt

— NBA D-League (@nbadleague) March 5, 2016

Davis should be in action when the Delaware 87ers head to Des Moines to take on the Iowa Energy once again. Brand's next game, if there is one, is a little bit more up in the air.