09/25/2009 - 15:54
SI Shows Love for Ty
by Devon Jeffreys

As Tyson Chandler continues his rehab from surgery this summer to repair his ankle, positive energy is starting to fill the air around him and his new team, the Charlotte Bobcats.

In a recent article for Sports Illustrated, NBA Insider Britt Robson evaluates Charlotte’s trade for Tyson and his looming return from injury to once again be a force at the center position.

“In exchange for Emeka Okafor, the Bobcats received a top five defensive center entering the chronological prime of his career. He’s highly motivated both to embarrass his former franchise and boost his value with free agency approaching (he has a $12.7 million player option in 2010-11, the last year of his deal). His new head coach and the rest of his new starting front line should be perfect complements for his skill set.”

TC working out with his new team, the Charlotte Bobcats (Bobcats.com).

Robson notes that TC is ready to put all the things that clouded last season behind him and focus on becoming a dominant force in the paint once again. He quotes Ty on the subject:

“You can block a lot of shots and still be a bad defender; a good defender gets consistent stops,” Tyson said. “I make people miss by studying tendencies, not just my man but what the point guard likes to do and what the other team likes to do in crunch time. I can use the angles and the anticipation I have from that and talk to these guys, let them know what I see and that I’m behind them. That will let them use their quickness as a mismatch the other way. One reason I am making sure I’m healthy this season is that the coaches have told me I’ll run harder than any year in my career.”

Tyson also feels comfortable in the system of Bobcats coach Larry Brown who has had plenty of success with centers like Tyson in the past, as quoted by Robson:

“He creates opportunities for guys like myself, who have quick hands and feet and like to roam,” Chandler said of Brown. “His system also funnels the [opponent] to the best defensive player on the team, toward the anchor.”

GETTING A FEEL FOR FELTON
At the Charlotte Observer, Bobcats writer Rick Bonnell took in some pre camp drills with the Cats last week and noted that while Ty hasn’t played in pick-up games, he has been working with his teammates:

“Center Tyson Chandler isn’t playing yet, looking to protect his injured ankle. I’m told that’s just a precaution, that he’ll be ready for training camp. And Chandler is already working between games with Raymond Felton, to establish some synergy in the screen-and-roll.”

The Bobcats open the preseason on Tuesday, October 6 in Cleveland. Just 22 days later, the regular season begins when the Cats travel to Boston to take on the Celtics.

To view the entire Bobcats schedule, click here.

RELATED STORIES
Tyson Chandler poised for rebound year with Charlotte Bobcats (SI.com, September 23, 2009)
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/britt_robson/09/23/chandle...
Charlotte Bobcats 2009-2010 schedule (Bobcats.com)
http://www.nba.com/bobcats/schedule/
Bobcats got next as camp nears (Charlotte Observer, September 18, 2009)
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/bobcats/story/954594.html