In 2011, Tyson Chandler won his first career NBA championship as the defensive anchor for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2012, Chandler took home the Defensive Player of the Year award for the first time in his career as the leader of the New York Knicks.
As Chandler prepares to hit the reset button, one thing keeps him from escaping the past: a somewhat controversial exit from the Knicks.
Under the guidance of new president of basketball operations Phil Jackson, New York traded Chandler and Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks. For the Knicks, the trade was centered around veteran point guard and lethal marksman Jose Calderon.
This created a long-awaited reunion between Chandler and the Mavericks, but that’s not the end of the seemingly feel-good story.
Around the time of the NBA draft, Jackson explained the reasoning for the trade. He cited a desire to shake things up in the locker room. He also insinuated that there were chemistry issues that needed to be fixed.
According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas, Chandler took offense to those comments.
“I did nothing but try to help the culture there the three years I was there,” Chandler said Friday. “You can say I didn’t live up to whatever or you didn’t like the way I played or anything. But to ever question who I am and the type of leader I am in the locker room, I don’t even know where that came from.
“I honestly don’t know where that came from. I don’t know if Phil put that out there or who put that out there, but to me, that was the ultimate shock. And you don’t have to say that to get rid of me or to trade me. The trade is over.
“So to judge my character and what I’ve done, you can go look at all my teammates and ask all of my teammates in the past, and the coaches I’ve played for, and I’ve never been a problem and never had a problem. So that was a shock to me that I didn’t appreciate.”
Just another day in paradise.
This is a surprising development. Chandler is a great player, but he won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2012 because of the influence he had on the players around him. For as strong as he individually, the award honored his leadership and influence.
Two long seasons later, those very traits are being called into question.
The good news for Chandler, 31, is that he’s back with a team that never should’ve let him leave in the first place. He and Dirk Nowitzki have a wonderful chemistry, and Rick Carlisle clearly knows how to put him in the proper places to facilitate victory.
Victory heals all, and in 2014-15, wins will be the only thing that matter for both restructured franchises.
Massive Billboard for James
At a time in which news from the sports world has been predominantly negative, it’s imperative to find some good. On Friday, September 19, two very different locations honored their hometown heroes in spectacular ways.
It started with the city of Cleveland putting up a massive billboard to recognize the return of one LeBron James.
James’ return to the Cleveland Cavaliers shocked many. Despite leaving his home state team in controversial fashion after the 2009-10 NBA season, the four-time MVP returned to open arms in 2014.
The city of Cleveland is taking its welcome back routine to entirely new heights—quite literally. Across from the Quicken Loans Arena will be a massive billboard featuring James and his Cavaliers jersey.
According to a report via The Associated Press, the billboard is 10 stories high.
A larger-than-life LeBron James will again tower over downtown.
The city’s planning commission approved artwork on Friday for a 10-story-high banner of the NBA superstar, his arms outstretched and “Cleveland” across the back of his jersey.
It will hang across the street from Quicken Loans Arena, home of the Cavaliers.
Rather than wearing a jersey with his own name, James is pictured with the word, “Cleveland,” over the No. 23.
That’s an official return to Cleveland.
After four seasons with the Miami Heat and a couple of burnt Cavaliers jerseys, James is back in his home state of Ohio. Roughly 45 minutes away from his hometown of Akron, he’s managed to both salvage and elevate his reputation in one swift act.
As if two NBA championships, four MVP awards and 10 All-Star Game selections left any doubt about why James should be appreciated.
With Cleveland loading up on superstars and Dan Gilbert abandoning his anti-super team mentality, the city is at an all-time high for excitement. The Cavaliers have a genuine opportunity to bring the city its first championship since the Cleveland Indians won the 1964 World Series.
Imagine how big that billboard would be.
The Dirkumentary
Both in the United States of America and overseas, Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki is a man of immense talent, respect and popularity. He’s a legendary scorer with a publicly admired passion and sense of humor that makes him personable.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, fans are about to get to know Nowitzki far better than ever before.
A documentary—or in this case, a Dirkumentary—about the future Hall of Famers life was shown in Cologne, Germany. The title for the film is, “Nowitzki: Der Perfekte Wurf,” which translates to, “Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot.”
Despite the fact that the event was held in Germany, some of Nowitzki’s past and present teammates made sure they showed up to see it all transpire.
…Nowitzki inevitably discovered, well before touchdown, that a delegation of Mavericks players, former teammates, team officials and various staffers would be flying all the way to Germany this week for the premiere of a new German-produced documentary about the future Hall of Famer’s career and life.
Yet Nowitzki nonetheless came away openly touched to see the likes of Monta Ellis, Devin Harris, Rick Carlisle, Donnie Nelson, Keith Grant, Michael Finley and Brian Cardinal among a traveling party of some 40 guests from Dallas, all of whom descended upon Cologne to see the unveiling of “Nowitzki: Der Perfekte Wurf,” which translates to Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot.
That’s camaraderie.
Nowitzki has a very strong case for being the greatest international player in NBA history. He won league MVP in 2007, Finals MVP in 2011 and has 12 All-Star Game appearances.
Currently No. 10 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, Nowitzki has revolutionized basketball as a true 7’0″ player who can knock down the 3-ball with ease. He’s No. 23 in career 3-point field goals and his patented one-legged fadeaway may be the most unstoppable shot since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s sky hook.
As the title of the documentary suggests, it truly is the perfect shot. Right, Sports Science?
Deadly.
Nowitzki’s path to and through the NBA is just as remarkable as what he’s done on the court. He’s gone from being an international phenom to a sports icon, all the while maintaining loyalty to one specific franchise.
Whether or not you’re a Mavericks fan, “Nowitzki: Der Perfekte Wurf,” will be a must-see piece of cinema.
Around The League
- Former Kentucky Wildcats and NBA player Rex Chapman was arrested for allegedly stealing more than $14,000 worth of products from the Apple Store at the Scottsdale Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Apple Store employees told police that Chapman picked up items in the store and made it appear that he was paying for them using a self-checkout system via iPhone app. He would then leave the store without actually paying for the items, they said.” Chapman, 46, played in the NBA from 1988 to 2000. ABC15 Arizona provided the report.
- According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Golden State Warriors have yet to receive a timetable on when Shaun Livingston will return from toe surgery. Livingston was signed to serve as the backup to star point guard Stephen Curry, who has battled injuries himself. Livingston revitalized his career in 2013-14 by starting for the playoff-bound Brooklyn Nets.