Berdoo Kid, Tyson Chandler, Finally Breaking Out
Tyson Chandler was a 13-year-old phenom back at Arrowview Middle School in San Bernardino in 1995. He already was 6-foot-8 and The Next Big Thing ...
But instead of going to Pacific or San Bernardino high schools, in his hometown, he enrolled at Compton Dominguez and played there. He probably got more attention, though Pacific (in particular) would have played some big games if he had gone there at a time when the Pirates were making the CIF semifinals every year.
Anyway, Chandler went straight into the NBA, skipping college ... and he seemed to disappear. His first four seasons in the league, he rarely started, never averaged 10 rebounds OR points.
He was drafted by the Clippers, back in 2000, and traded immediately for Elton Brand, and for a long time it was more than just a bad trade ... it was a HORRIBLE trade.
Well, the Berdoo kid finally is making his mark.
Chandler, who grew to 7-feet, is one of the key components of the New Orleans Hornets, who are 29-12 -- the best record in the Western Conference.
He is averaging a career-best 12.4 points per game and 12.2 rebounds per game.
He has become a significant defensive presence for the Hornets, who have turned into a serious team, with Chris Paul and Peja Stojavokic.
Thing about Chandler: This is his seventh season in The League but he is still only 25. And now that he seems to be getting it ... he could be one of the league's more important centers for the next 4-5 years.
That's the player he was supposed to be, when he was being chased by every college in the country. It took a while, but he finally is getting there. He isn't Kareem, but he's a real player. Finally.
Comments
This is just more proof that kids should not be so quick to jump to the NBA. They should develop their game under a good coach in college.
Posted by: Louis Galvez | January 24, 2008 2:30 PM