Who Needs Chandler Anyway?

First off I would like to start by saying I truly love Tyson Chandler and everything that he did for the Mavericks. He brought a tough mindset that allowed others around him to build off his energy. But can we all also remember that he is only Tyson Chandler.

As soon as the Mavericks used the glorious contract of Erika Dampier on Tyson Chandler, there was rage and emotions flying all over the place (especially this website) because the Mavs were not able to obtain the Robin to our hunk of a Batman. When did the Mavericks ever strive to posses a player that was injury prone, and had not played a full season of basketball in over two years. Never. (Even though the brains up top have not always been best with centers.) Before we acquired Chandler, he had previously failed a physical that would have had him on the OKC Thunder. That was not a good start.

As he began to play with Team USA and not to mention play healthy, there was a difference noticed in Chandler's play. But note here, he only averaged less than 3 points, under 3 rebounds, and less than 1 block a game. He has never been known for outstanding statistics, and had very limited playing time, but this was nothing to brag about.

No one even knew this guy was going to be a starter until right around the beginning of the season where Haywood decided to start his pouting. Luckily Chandler was playing very efficiently in comparison to his complementary center. (See Chandler's excellent FT% at the start of the season compared to Haywood's.)

But the thing is, before the acquisition of Chandler, there was never real talk of getting a center to have as one the of the guys we counted on during our run to the Championship. We didn't know what Chandler would provide, and we were prepared to play a superb season without him.

Chandler has one of his best statistical seasons with the Mavericks since the '08 season where he averaged a double-double playing alongside Chris Paul and David West. He also had his highest FG% of his career. He performed so well in this system, that it allowed him to grow as a player, making him more desirable to other franchises.

Now that he is gone, I believe the World Champion Dallas Mavericks are ready to have a great season without Tyson Chandler, like they had planned to do more than a year ago. And I don't know if it is just me, but I have a strange feeling TC is going to be quite a bust for the New York Knicks, and will not be nearly as effective as he was in Dallas. That is just my opinion but we will have to see.

GO MAVS!