Tyson Chandler bio, video

Many Bobcats fans aren’t sure what they are getting in Tyson Chandler, so we here at the Huddle went digging for more information.

Per Wikipedia:

Tyson Chandler was selected 2nd overall by the Los Angeles Clippers, who immediately traded his rights to the Chicago Bulls for former NBA Rookie of the Year Award recipient Elton Brand. The Bulls intended to pair Chandler with fellow high school phenom Eddy Curry in the front court. However, while both players had stretches of success during their time with the Bulls, they rarely coincided. In Chandler’s case, back problems were a recurring issue throughout his career, particularly during the 2003–04 season. His mental approach was an issue as well. During the early part of his career, Chandler feuded with Brendan Haywood of the Washington Wizards and Amare Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns. Later, although the feuds became less frequent, Chandler struggled with foul trouble, which limited his playing time.

Chandler also played a major role in the resurgent Bulls’ playoff run in the 2004–05 season. Finding a role as a fourth-quarter defensive specialist, with notable game-saving blocks against stars like Paul Pierce and Carmelo Anthony, he was rewarded with a long-term deal to remain with the Chicago Bulls for the next six years, reportedly worth close to $63 million. With Curry’s departure after the 2004–05 season, Chandler became the last member of the Bulls left from the Jerry Krause era.

During the 2005–2006 season, Chandler’s biggest impact was on defense, but he struggled with foul problems and averaged only 5.3 points per game. Due in part to his sub-par playoff performance and the Bulls’ signing of four-time Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace in the off-season after the 2005–2006 season, Bulls GM John Paxson began to consider moving Chandler. On July 5, 2006, the Bulls and the Hornets verbally agreed to a trade that would send Chandler to the Hornets in exchange for J.R. Smith and P.J. Brown. The deal was finalized the following week.
Chandler had his best NBA season in 2006–2007 where he averaged 9.5 ppg and 12.4 rpg to go with 1.8 bpg.

Chandler followed that up with an even better season where he put up 11.7 points and 11.8 rebounds a game and led the league in offensive rebounding. His defense, rebounding and the ability to connect with Chris Paul on the Crescent City Connection (Name for their alleyoop pass) allowed the Hornets to claim the 2007–08 Southwest division for the first time ever with 56 wins. Chandler played well in the playoffs and defended Tim Duncan valiantly but in the end the Hornets lost a heartbreaking game 7 where Chandler limited Duncan to 5–17 shooting. Chandler was named to Team USA as the number 1 alternate to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.