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Elton Brand on reaction to eye-poke: 'Forgot I was tough for a second'

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

There are tough guys, studio gangsters and veterans who have the self-awareness to know they fall somewhere in between.

Count Elton Brand among the latter.

The Atlanta Hawks veteran was self-deprecating on Saturday reflecting on a poke to the eye that forced him from the game. After getting hit, Brand ran off the court, ultimately requiring locker room attention. Obviously unhappy with his uncool response, Brand was eager to explain.

"I just forgot I was tough for a second," he said.

That's a hilarious quote from a 275-pound man who, by all indications, probably is quite tough. But at age 35 and in his 16th NBA season, there's little need to puff out one's chest for appearances.

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