Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson have maintained that the Tyson Chandler they traded for is healthier and looks more like 2007 Tyson Chandler than most realize. Chandler's opportunity to prove them right has begun, as he participates with Team U.S.A.
Friday he hit the winning shot in "sudden death" during a team scrimmage, and today he faced off against fellow Mavs Ian Mahinmi and Alexi Ajinca in an 86-55 route of a France team without Tony Parker and Rodrigue Beaubois.
DB.com provided their impressions of the centers.
Perhaps due to the physical nature of much of the post play, my only complaint with Chandler came from seeing him unable to gather a number of rebounds that seemed to be within his immediate vicinity. On the positive side, it was nice to see all three Mavs centers who took part Sunday get up and down the court well. Chandler was often one of the first three USA players to cross halfcourt, and Mahinmi's athleticism and ability to move with the fluidity of a much smaller player may be among his largest early strengths.
NBA Fanhouse discusses Chandler's progress this summer, as well as his role as the only big man on the national team.
Few could have envisioned the Dallas center making as much progress as he has this summer. He had missed 62 of his past 126 NBA regular-season games due to ankle problems and got a late invitation to Team USA's first training camp last month in Las Vegas.
When the camp started, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo remarked the big man was "not in shape.'' But while other post players kept dropping off the team, primarily due to injuries, Chandler kept getting better.
"Tyson has been outstanding,'' Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said after Chandler, his spot secure in the starting lineup, was only needed for 14 minutes against France and totaled four points, three rebounds and one blocked shot. "We have a relationship from the 2007 qualifying team (and in 2008 when Chandler came close to making the Olympic team) ... He doesn't need the ball. He's stronger. I bet he's at least probably 15 pounds heavier and stronger than he was in 2007. He feels healthy.''
If you missed either event, NBATV is replaying both several times over the next few days.
See the video from the end of Friday's scrimmage after the jump:
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