Semi-OT: Brown says Bobcats deep at C, Chandler to backup Diaw

MikeDC · Jul 29, 2009

Via the Sporting News, we learn that Larry Brown is a close student of Jerry Reinsdorf's marketing talents:

Still, from the Bobcats’ perspective, taking on Chandler, who missed 37 games with ankle injuries last year and failed a physical when the Thunder tried to acquire him at the trade deadline, seems like the bigger risk than the Hornets took in acquiring Okafor. Chandler still has to pass a physical, but he assured Bobcats officials that would not be a problem.

“He had surgery on the ankle in early May and he will fully recover,” general manager Rod Higgins said. “Obviously, both players have to come in and complete their physical. As to the salary, it is pretty well documented that you have Tyson, who has two years on his contract, '09-10 and '10-11 and at that point, he has a player option. Emeka has five years left on his at his salary. So you can see where the possibilities lie going forward.”

Got it. Long-term flexibility. But, basketball-wise, what do the Bobcats stand to gain here? “I think from a basketball standpoint, we have Tyson, who can play more than one position,” coach Larry Brown said Tuesday. “Tyson is long and athletic. So he fits in pretty nicely.”

Brown went on to point out that with Nazr Mohammed and DeSagana Diop, Charlotte is deep at the center spot. The idea, then, is to play Chandler at the power forward spot behind Boris Diaw. Okafor, Brown said, was more of a pure center than Chandler. Brown can envision Chandler playing the four, guarding opponents out on the perimeter. “You want guys who can play multiple positions when you are trying to build a team,” Brown said.

To which there is only one response: Huh?
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We have to move our starting center out so the two guys who I wouldn't play ahead of him last year can play big minutes. With Nazr Mohammad and Sagan Diop here, there really weren't any minutes for Okafor. No, no no! Just ignore the fact Okafor played a lot more than them. Really, those guys are better fits. It's addition by subtraction, I tells ya. We only played Okafor all those minutes to spare his feelings. We weren't really even trying to get into the playoffs. But now that the shackles of dealing with Okafor is gone, Nazr and Sagana can really spread their wings and fly. They're biggger than Emeka, you know. Better defenders too. Plus, we've got Tyson Chandler coming in to scarf up the backup minutes!

Hmm... I think I've seen this show before. Must be something about UConn guys.

TheFreshPrince · Jul 29, 2009

The trade still seems weird to me, but i loved diaw at center for the suns. I hope this mean the cats are adding iverson and going to be a running team. They would be really fun to watch.

They could go small and play:
Dj or Felton if they keep him
Iverson
Raja
Gerald Wallace
Diaw

that would be a really fun team to watch. And i never thought iverson could fit on their roster at all, but it looks like he is exactly what they need.

JayJohnstone · Jul 29, 2009

I gonna have to see a direct quote from Brown before I believe this BS from Sean Deveney. I do believe Brown said TC could play some 4. I don't believe that's where Brown thinks he will get most of his minutes.

rocketeer · Jul 29, 2009

TheFreshPrince said: ↑

The trade still seems weird to me, but i loved diaw at center for the suns. I hope this mean the cats are adding iverson and going to be a running team. They would be really fun to watch.

They could go small and play:
Dj or Felton if they keep him
Iverson
Raja
Gerald Wallace
Diaw

that would be a really fun team to watch. And i never thought iverson could fit on their roster at all, but it looks like he is exactly what they need.
Click to expand...

it says that chandler will backup diaw at power forward.

JayJohnstone · Aug 1, 2009

Ok - here is the real plan.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/bobcats/story/857817.html

“Tyson athletically has great length and great quickness,” Brown said. “Emeka is more your prototype center. Tyson can get up the floor more and press more, which is something we like to do. Tyson can guard on the perimeter and if you look at this league, there are so many teams that like to pick-and-roll after pick-and-roll. With your center and your (power forward), you have to have guys who can handle that.”

Although Chandler will be the Bobcats' starter at center, Brown expects him to also play some power forward. But Chandler – who played with one of the league's top point guards in New Orleans' Chris Paul – also knows that in Boris Diaw he'll be alongside one of the NBA's better-passing power forwards.

[Brown also said] “We want a center who's out on the break, rebounding the ball and bringing it up with a couple of dribbles. Tyson has those skills.”
Click to expand...

Not a popular opinion, but I think a healthy Chandler is better for a team than Okafor. Most people underestimate how valuable a player is that doesn't need any shots but needs to be guarded all the time. He is clearly a better defender IMHO.

Edit: Charlotte beat writer is in the same camp as I am. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/scottfowler/story/856445.html

MikeDC · Aug 2, 2009

Perhaps, though I'm not sure he's really a bunch quicker or more athletic or even a better defender than Okafor. Okafor has a rep as a good defender, at least, and if you look at their draft measurements, at least, Chandler didn't do obviously better.

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