10/08/2009 - 09:43
Primed for Preseason
by Devon Jeffreys

What a difference a week has made for Tyson Chandler.

Just last week, the chances of Ty playing in this preseason for the Charlotte Bobcats seemed remote.

But with the help of some orthotic arch supports, his return has a much better outlook.

Ty practiced with the ‘Cats on Monday and could see action shortly. As he told the Charlotte’s Observer’s Rick Bonnell, the orthotics felt good.

“They help a lot. Now I’ll be able to actually strengthen my ankle’’ by playing on it, Chandler said. “Before the orthotics, just getting up and down (the court) I’d get sore quickly. So now I can make the progress.’‘

Ty is driven to get Charlotte into the playoffs this season (Getty Images).

Tyson’s progress was a welcome sight to coach Larry Brown, as Ty told Bonnell:

“He probably got a little excited today,’’ Chandler said of Brown. “He saw me get up and down (the court) and get a little contact. That’s same as I felt.’‘

Charlotte lost its first preseason game of the season on Tuesday night, 92-87, to the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

The Bobcats return to action on Thursday night against Tyson’s former team, the New Orleans Hornets, in Greensboro, N.C., but Ty figures to still be sidelined that night. Charlotte’s games against Cleveland on Saturday in North Charleston or in Atlanta on Monday could be better targets for the big man’s debut.

ON THE RUN
As the Bobcats continue to mold their offense, it’s obvious what they’ll be looking to do this season: run

In a feature for USA Today, AP Sports writer Mike Cranston took a look at the fast-paced Cats and quoted No. 6 on the team’s speed:

“I think the personnel changes that they made and the players that they added, it’s going make us a naturally running team,” Chandler said Wednesday. “Coach isn’t going to have to scream about running all the time.”

According to Tyson, the key to implementing an on-the-run offense is maintaining the pace no matter who has the ball:

“Guys can’t stop just because the ball is not in the point guard’s hands,” Chandler said. “That’s the only way you can fast break. If Raymond is denied or D.J. is denied, we have to still be able to move. We have to make them pay for that.”

To read more about what Tyson brings to the offense as an athletic big man, click here.

TEACHING AND LEARNING
Even before he was able to practice this week, Ty could be found making an impact on the young Bobcats.

Charlotte coach Larry Brown has been complimentary of TC all camp long, as quoted by Rick Bonnell last week.

“He’s such a conscientious kid that after we practiced yesterday, he grabbed the rookies to go over the plays.”

Teammates have noted that Ty’s biggest impact has come in his leading voice, something No. 6 has been known for his whole career, as quoted in the Charlotte Observer:

“It’s my nature – I’m vocal, I’m going to speak out,” said Chandler, who was traded from New Orleans to Charlotte, in exchange for Okafor.

“I feel like (by being vocal and candid), it’s going to make everybody gel. I think with me, it’s always constructive criticism, but I have a passion for the game and wanting to win.”

His leadership from the center position has already begun to resonate with his fellow Bobcats. Veteran guard Raja Bell commended Ty’s vision:

“It definitely helps if you have someone who can quarterback (the defense from the center position) because he’s the only one who can see the whole floor from under the basket. For him to give us an audio of what’s going on, when you can’t see it (coming), helps tremendously.”

But as Tyson tries to lead the team, at 27, he knows he still has a lot to learn. No. 6 feels like he picks up something new every day from coach Larry Brown:

“This is going on my ninth year (in the NBA), and he’s already teaching me things I never learned,” Chandler said

“I’d catch the ball and just drive. He’ll stop me when I’m running around the lane and say, ‘Hey, establish a pivot foot, so you can drive off that. And when you finish, use your fingertips.’

“I’ll do something (sloppy) that still makes the shot and he’ll say, ‘No! No! No! Do it the right way every time.”

As he teaches and learns, Tyson’s goal remains steadfast: to have the type of impact he had in New Orleans and help the Bobcats become a playoff team just as the Hornets did.

“This was a team that was on the bubble, a few games out of the playoffs,” Chandler described. “I feel I can get this team over that hump and into the playoffs.”

FRIENDS AND FAMILY
TC turned 27 last Friday and to celebrate he was serenaded by his teammates.

He also mentioned that being in Charlotte has more perks than just getting a fresh start with a new team, as noted by Bonnell in the Charlotte Observer.

“Chandler said one of the benefits of becoming a Bobcat is the chance to finally watch his sister play basketball. Erica Chandler is a 6-4 center at Ardrey Kell High who accepted a scholarship offer from George Washington.”

RELATED STORIES
Chandler on the mend with new orthotics (Charlotte Observer, October 6, 2009)
http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_nba/2009/10/chandler-on-mend-with-...
Chandler gives Bobcats a strong voice in the middle (Charlotte Observer, September 28 2009)
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/bobcats/story/974841.html
Chandler and Diaw will start preseason by sitting (Charlotte Observer, September 30, 2009)
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/bobcats/story/978648.html
Athletic Bobcats want to become a running team (USAToday.com, September 30, 2009)
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2009-09-30-2214019861_x.ht...
Brown a fan of versatile Graham (Charlotte Observer, October 2, 2009)
http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/basketball/story/123851.html