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Bogeyman Chandler:"Dirk is my 2nd favorite German"

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German Portal SPOX.com published an interview they did w/ Chandler, presumably after the Heat Game, on Sunday at their website. Below follows a slightly kinked out google-trans. SPOX: Mr. Chandler, it's almost going perfect for the Mavs at the moment. You, as their best rebounder, are playing a big part in that. What makes you so strong on the Boards? Tyson Chandler: First of all you have to have the ambition to really go after every ball. Even if you have no shot at getting the rebound, it's important that you try it anyways. SPOX: Do you have a role modell in terms of getting rebounds? Dennis Rodman, perhaps? Chandler: The first names that come to my mind are Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. But clearly: In recent NBA history, there is no way to leave out Rodman. Nowadays, Dwight Howard is probably the best. SPOX: Even though Kevin Love has collected 31 points and 31 rebounds recently and dominated the boards like nobody else? Chandler: Of course, i sent him a text msg and congratulated him. That was a really special performance. 31 rebounds! It's damn hard to achieve that, but if anyone can do it, then a hard worker like Kevin, who distinguishes himself by doing what I just mentioned:: He wants to get absolutely every single rebound. SPOX: You have won Gold at the World Championship during the summer with Team USA. Besides other players, with Kevin Durant. What can you tell about him: Will Durant be the best player in the league one day? Chandler: Durant is already one of the five best players in the league, maybe even top 3. He is an incredible athlete, 2.08 meters tall, has a crazy wingspan and the necessary passion. What sets him apart from many other stars is his down-to-earth mentalitiy: For him, it is really all about basketball. SPOX: However, Indiana forward Danny Granger took care of the negative headlines in the World Cup, when he wrote via Twitter: "All Europeans stink like dead monkeys. Is there no deodorant over here?" How did this action responded in the team? Chandler: That was completely out of line and we all have told him loud and clear that this was not funny. We did not want our team to appear in a false light because of something like that. And we have told him that he is threatening the good spirit in the team with that. SPOX: What did you, personally, gain by playing the World Cup for your athletic development? Chandler: A lot. After the trade to the Mavs was certain, the World Cup was ideal for me to get in shape. This is paying off right now. To represent my country was a great honor, and the time in Europe was great overall. SPOX: And you have no fear that the additional wear and tear could come back to haunt you during this season? Chandler: I don't think so. I'm feeling damn well, as well as I haven't felt in a long time. I work hard to stay in shape and help my team. SPOX: Before start of the season, the battle for the starting place on the center position was sold to the public as an open race. By now, you are undisputed. Were you always sure that you would play? Chandler: I knew it would be a tight race, but ultimately we are all in it for winning. In this respect I would've agreed to a bench role, too, if it would have been for the betterment of the team. But of course it's great to be a starter. (Laughs) SPOX: How do you get along with your Center-in-Crime Brendan Haywood? Chandler: I believe we are one of the best duos in the league at center. We support each other, and privately, he is a very amiable fellow. SPOX: It seems as if you feel very comfortable in Dallas. You were with the Hornets two years ago, a kind of bogeyman for the Mavs in the playoffs. Chandler: (laughs) Despite this history, it's great to be here. The Mavericks are a first class governed franchise. To be a part of it, is something very special. SPOX: Before you came to Dallas, you had to endure quite a few things in recent years: you were traded from New Orleans to Oklahoma, then the deal was canceled. Later you went to Charlotte and finally to Dallas. And the whole time you had to struggle with injuries. A hard time? Chandler: The injuries have taxed me more than the trades. I just wanted to be part of a team where I feel comfortable and where I see a long-term perspective. Dallas is absolutely perfect for me. A great opportunity to prove myself all over again. I think we can make a lot of noise in the West. SPOX: What is the worst part of getting traded overnight? Chandler: Sure, some players may take it hard to be traded. But I was lucky enough to have been informed in advance about any development, so I was prepared for it. And if you look at the whole thing, I must say that I was always better off with my new club than the previous one. SPOX: What did you set as your personal goal? Is a double-double on average - like in old Hornets times - possible once again? Chandler: That's definitely my goal. But even more important is that we, as a team, reach the Western Conference Finals. That's what it's about. SPOX: DeShawn Stevenson said recently, that the Mavs are the best and most talented team with whom he ever was under contract. He has played in Utah with John Stockton and Karl Malone. Are the Mavs really that strong? Chandler: We have a good team and I am confident that we can go far. As just indicated, the Conference Finals are the goal, everything else, we would have to see when we are that far. Don't forget that the West with the Lakers, Spurs, Hornets, and all the other teams is really strong. But I claim that we can beat them all. SPOX: How large is the proportion of Jason Kidd at the current success? Since you already have played with Chris Paul, you should be able to assess the value of a strong playmaker pretty good. Chandler: They are both fantastic point guards. I enjoy every game I can stand with Kidd on the court. An exceptional player who will enter the Hall of Fame, without a doubt. And he has huge role in ensuring that it's so much fun with the Mavs. SPOX: And how about Dirk Nowitzki? So far, you hardly knew each other. Chandler: I love Dirk! I told him just a few days ago that he is, after my grandma, my second favorite German. Clearly Dirk is a great player, but as a human being/person he is even better.