01/11/2010 - 14:04
Bobcats D Suffers Without TC
by Devon Jeffreys

As each day goes by, the Charlotte Bobcats miss their big man in the middle a little bit more.

Tyson Chandler hasn't seen game action in nearly three weeks because of a stress reaction in his left foot. Since Ty's injury, the Bobcats have sported a respectable 4-3 record, but their defense has lacked that inside presence, allowing nearly 96 points a game. This, for a team, that was allowing just over 90 prior to Ty's injury. Charlotte head coach Larry Brown knows exactly what's missing, as he told Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer:

"We're missing our most important player,’’ Brown said. “Tyson – athletically and defensively – is that important."

Without Tyson, the Bobcats have become defenseless against the pick and roll and have struggled to contain opponents in the paint, as Bonnell reports, that's where TC was at his best:

Chandler is a goalie at the rim and Bobcats coach Larry Brown has always valued that – more than ever in his absence. Chandler has missed seven games so far with a stress reaction in his left foot. And listening to Brown, that absence has only demonstrated why they need Chandler.

No. 6 was walking without much pain late last week, but still wore a boot on Saturday when the Bobcats beat the Grizzlies on a Gerald Wallace buzzer beater. His foot is being monitored on a daily basis.

As well as the Bobcats have played offensively of late, Tyson's healthy return could be a huge boon. Putting together the growing offense with a strong interior D could be the right formula to get Charlotte into the playoff hunt. Brown says his return can't come soon enough:

"I know his numbers haven't been great but when he's involved defensively it makes a huge difference, because he can get out on the floor and he's quick.''

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Inside the NBA: Chandler's foot less painful (Charlotte Observer, January 8, 2010)
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