07/14/2010 - 11:25
TC heads to Big D
by Devon Jeffreys

With the belief that Tyson Chandler is one of the final pieces in a championship puzzle on their mind, a perennial NBA title contender made a move to bring TC to the Lone-Star State on Tuesday.

The Dallas Mavericks traded for Tyson in a five-player deal with the Charlotte Bobcats that promises to shakeup a Western Conference long ruled by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Dallas fans, get ready for some Ty Slama Jama (Getty Images).

"We could not be more excited to add Tyson Chandler," Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson said in a statement. "He is one of the most versatile big men in the league today. He gives our front line a defensive, shot-blocking, athletic punch we haven't had here in a while."

Ty arrives in Dallas in peak physical health for the first time since he helped the New Orleans Hornets knock off the Mavericks in the first round of the 2008 playoffs. Nelson beamed about the acquisition of Tyson to Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas.

"When we do something, all of our sights are set on Los Angeles," Nelson said. "We’ve got somebody we can throw at [Pau] Gasol now."

Tyson has been a playoff participant for each of the last three seasons, two years in New Orleans and last season in Charlotte. After spending parts of the last two seasons bothered by leg injuries, TC was big down the stretch for Charlotte as they made a run at the first playoff berth in franchise history.

It was clear that Tyson had started to feel better as the year went on. In the eight April games leading into the playoffs, No. 6 was at his strongest, averaging 8.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in just 24 minutes per game.

But this offseason the Bobcats decided to move Ty. After nearly completing a deal on Monday to send him to Toronto, they traded TC to Dallas where his presence is welcomed with open arms.

"He has never felt better," Nelson said. "He is healthy. He hasn’t felt healthy for two years. He hasn’t been able to explode off one leg or two legs like he is now."

Nelson said he's spoken to sources that have been impressed with Tyson's explosiveness during his offseason workouts in Los Angeles.

Ty will certainly see time at center along with Mavericks free agent signee Brendan Haywood, but if Dallas plans to use TC as a Pau Gasol stopper, they could plug him in at the power forward position, moving perennial All-Star Dirk Nowitzki to the small forward in a big lineup that could rival that of the Lakers.

"[Tyson]'s a good shot blocker, and we know firsthand that he can do some damage on the offensive end," Nelson told the Dallas Morning News recalling that 2008 postseason series. "He's healthy as a horse. That's been the only issue."

Tyson will also be united with veteran point guard Jason Kidd, whom he'll hope to make a Chris Paul like connection with, as noted by Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News:

"Chandler was at his best when paired with Chris Paul, who fed him a ton of lob passes for easy dunks off the pick and roll. That's one more offensive wrinkle the Mavericks could add to their portfolio."

CENTER OF ATTENTION
Coupled with the news of his trade to a title contender was the announcement by USA Basketball that Tyson has been asked to join Team USA in camp as they prepare for the World Championships in Turkey in August.

Charlotte Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins revealed the news to FanHouse when he announced Chandler's trade.

"They hadn't put out a press release but they let us know about a month ago that he'll be [there] next week,'' Higgins said "So he's been training and getting in shape for it.''

"He's in good shape. I think he'll do real well for (Team USA).''

Tyson was nearly selected to play for USA Basketball in the 2008 Olympics but he was the last cut made off of the Olympic team. Now he'll get a second chance to represent his country.

Twenty-three players in all will be in Las Vegas later this month training and competing to make the 12-man Team USA roster. Tyson will be the only Mavericks player in the camp.

The World Championships are August 28 through September 12 in Turkey.

RELATED STORIES
New Maverick Tyson Chandler will give team much-needed length (Dallas Morning News, July 14, 2010)
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Dallas Mavericks get Tyson Chandler in Charlotte Bobcats in five-player deal (ESPN.com. July 13, 2010)
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Nelson: Chandler fits better than Jefferson (ESPN Dallas, July 13, 2010)
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Higgins says Chandler named to Team USA camp (FanHouse, July 13, 2010)
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