11/20/2009 - 11:35
Reflections on New Orleans
by Devon Jeffreys

As Tyson Chandler works to get settled into his new home in Charlotte, it's been hard for him to ignore what has been going on in the place that he left, with his former team, the New Orleans Hornets.

The Hornets are 5-8, one game out of last place in the loaded Southwest Division, and last week, New Orleans fired head coach Byron Scott, one of Ty's mentors, after the team got off to a poor start.

Tyson's passion is dialed up to 11 for his new team, the Charlotte Bobcats, but watching the unraveling of his former team has made him reflect on the past (Getty Images).

TC has been following the situation from afar and said he definitely feels for his former coach and teammates:

"It's tough. I hate to see coach take the brunt of the blame for what happened and see him get fired," Tyson said. "Unfortunately in our league, they like quick results. But he didn't have the same cast that he's had over the years. Just like us [the Bobcats], sometimes it takes a little while to gel."

"Unfortunately he had to take the blame. But Coach Scott was an incredible coach and an incredible person. I enjoyed all of my time there with him, playing under him. He was like an uncle or a family member so it was tough to see him have to go."

The Hornets posted a 141-105 record under Scott during No. 6's three years in New Orleans. Tyson was a big piece to that puzzle, enjoying the best seasons of his career, back-to-back in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 before suffering a debilitating ankle injury in 2008-2009.

SHIFTING GEARS
When Tyson was traded to Oklahoma City late last season, a trade that was later rescinded by the Thunder, it signaled an organizational shift in New Orleans.

When TC was traded again this offseason, it was the first step in breaking up one of the best teams in Hornets franchise history. Despite a messy breakup, Tyson values his time in the Big Easy because of the relationships he built with his teammates and coaches and the support he received from Hornets fans.

"I can't necessarily say I was happy to get out of there because I loved my teammates," Ty said. "I loved playing alongside Chris, David, Peja and the guys. I loved playing under coach Scott. I had some struggles with the organization, obviously, and management, but for the most part it was incredible playing there so I can't say I was happy to leave."

In 2009-2010, despite similar records to start the season, it seems as though the Hornets and the Bobcats are headed in different directions.

While the Bobcats are looking to add players, like veteran scorer Stephen Jackson, to boost them toward a potential playoff run, the Hornets are looking to ship them out. Rumors have already circulated that New Orleans center Emeka Okafor, the man for which TC was traded this offseason, is on the market. Ty feels blessed to have ended up where he did.

"I was fortunate that I was able to land in a place like Charlotte where I get an opportunity to learn from one of the best teachers in the game. It's also an opportunity to help a franchise do some things that they've never done before."

A RARE OPPORTUNITY
In New Orleans, Tyson was a part of two of the most successful teams in Hornets franchise history. The 2007-2008 team, for which Tyson posted his first season averaging a double double, with 11.8 points and 11.7 rebounds, won the Southwest Divison and was the surprising No. 2 seed in the Western Conference for the playoffs.

After dispatching the Dallas Mavericks in the first round the Hornets faced off with the playoff-tested San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals and fell in seven games. Still, that Hornets squad was thought to be on the rise and ready to compete with the Spurs, Lakers and Mavericks for the Western Conference title.

But less than two years later the tide has turned dramatically and all that has happened over the last several months has given Ty a greater appreciation for what the 07-08 Hornets team was able to accomplish.

"You don't come across teams that have the type of chemistry that we had. Unfortunately we were broken up right after that. But we had an amazing run and I feel like had we stayed together, we would have been one of the premiere teams in the West. But that's how it goes sometimes."

GET WELL SOON CP3
The Hornets also recently lost star point guard Chris Paul, one of Tyson's best friends on the team, to an ankle injury similar to the one TC suffered last preseason.

Ty would later injure the ankle more severely during the regular season. Paul is currently being held out to avoid further damage. Tyson said on Monday that he had not yet spoken to CP3 about the injury but was planning on giving the point guard a call soon.

"I know what type of competitor he is. I watched a couple of their games and I could see he was already having a tough time dealing with the losses that they were suffering from early in the season. I know this is going to be extremely tough for him to have to sit out and watch because obviously, with Chris being the best player on the team, I'm sure they're going to have some struggles.

"But it can also maybe be a plus for Chris because he'll have an opportunity to sit back and get his head together and come back kind of refreshed. I think everything just took him by whirlwind."

IMPROVING DAY-BY-DAY
Two nights after stating a need to be more aggressive, make his way and "turn it up," Tyson Chandler did just that on Wednesday night against the 76ers in Philadelphia.

In 15 minutes of action, Ty posted seven points on 2-4 from the field and 3-3 from the line. No. 6 also grabbed four boards, dished an assist and picked up only one foul. But early in the second quarter TC started experiencing back spasms that forced him from the game. He's not expected to miss any more time and is probable for tonight's game in Milwaukee.

Before exiting on Wednesday night in Philadelphia, Tyson had been slowly working himself back into playing shape after missing all of training camp and most of the preseason recovering from offseason surgery.

"I'm feeling a lot better," TC said. "The beginning of the season was kind of like preseason for me because I didn't have the opportunity to go through training camp. I didn't have the opportunity to play this preseason but those last two games. It was about trying to get my legs and timing."

No. 6 has played more than 30 minutes in four of Charlotte's first 11 games and under 20 minutes just twice before Wednesday night, both times due to foul trouble. While he's succeeding on defense, Ty has struggled on the offensive end early, trying to find his place in the new system.

But his contributions have been increasing and he was on his way to what looked to be his best night of the season before the back spasms crept up on Wednesday.

"It's getting a lot better," TC said of learning the offense on the fly. "Coach throws a lot of stuff at you, so I'm learning how to adjust. I'm learning the plays and all of that."

BRINGING THE D
Charlotte's defense has been one of the league's best early in the season. The Bobcats rank third in the NBA in fewest points allowed at 88.5 and only the Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics have held teams to fewer points.

"We're playing well defensively," Ty said before Monday's loss in Orlando. "We need to find a rhythm offensively. But that comes with having a better understanding of each other. We have to better understand where we can succeed as individuals."

Tyson's size and athletic presence have helped boost the defense as No. 6 has 11 blocks and 71 boards this season. With their overwhelming defense, the 'Cats have allowed just one team to reach 100 points in their first 11 games, the New York Knicks on October 30.

But the Bobcats beat the Knicks that night, 102-100 in a rare offensive outburst. Charlotte's offense has reached triple digits just one other time, in a 103-83 victory over the Eastern Conference leading Atlanta Hawks on November 6. The Cats are scoring at a league low average of 82.4 points per game.

The Bobcats are also now 0-6 on the road. But in their last two games, Charlotte has been able to push two of the East's top teams, Orlando and Philadelphia to the brink in their arenas. Ty believes the team's recent performance is a sure fire sign of progress.

"We need to continue to play hard, focus, lock-in on whatever the game plan is that coach has prepared and give ourselves a chance to win," he said after the Orlando loss. "All you want to do on the road is give yourself a chance to win."

NEXT UP
Tyson and the Bobcats will hope to give themselves a chance to win their fourth game of the season against the Milwaukee Bucks tonight in Milwaukee. The Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell reports that the 'Cats have listed Ty as probable to start. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EST. All the action can be seen on Sports South Charlotte.

RELATED STORIES
Charlotte Bobcats vs. Philadelphia 76ers Box Score (ESPN.com, November 18, 2009)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=291118020
Gameday: Bobcats at Bucks (Charlotte Observer, November 20, 2009)
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/bobcats/story/1065893.html

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