re: Chandler-Okafor deal done

also never underestimate Larry Brown's ability to want to trade guys, or just try new players, even if it doesn't seem to make sense. apparently he had some issues with Okafor's effort.

here is fowler's column from today's Charlotte Observer:
LINK

quote:

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There is a point in every marriage when you start getting tired of one another. After seeing each other every day for many years, you really start getting on each other's nerves. You start wondering if this is all there is, and whether this is really enough.

Let's say your spouse doesn't play the pick-and-roll very well. And his hands are small and he doesn't always catch the basketball cleanly. And he misses close to half of his free throws. And he sometimes has trouble getting motivated. And his offensive moves look like they were designed by Mr. Roboto.

Then, if you're the Charlotte Bobcats, you might just overlook all of Emeka Okafor's good points – the career double-double average, the durability, the certainty that his name would never show up on the police blotter – and trade him to New Orleans for Tyson Chandler.

That's what the Bobcats have all but done. This trade only needs to be finalized today before Okafor goes the way of the old Charlotte Hornets and disappears with George Shinn into the Big Easy. And Chandler – three inches taller, less durable and more agile – leaves a team that has been trying to trade him for months to come try to help the Bobcats make their first playoff appearance in 2009-10.

Good deal or bad deal?

Despite the fact that Okafor has been more productive over his NBA career than Chandler, I've not been a huge Okafor fan for the past several years. I would argue that he never really improved since that standout rookie season.

So I would say this is a worthwhile gamble for the Bobcats. On its face, it's not a good deal. But I think it ultimately will become one (and it certainly clears out a lot of salary space down the road).

But there is one major caveat – Chandler's health. The Bobcats' doctors better work him over in the pre-trade physical. Chandler would already have been traded to Oklahoma City this year except that he failed that physical because of a bad big toe.

Let's put it this way: Chandler can be more of a difference-maker than Okafor, but only if he is healthy. Okafor hasn't missed a game in two seasons. Chandler missed 37 last season.

To me, this trade provides evidence that coach Larry Brown got frustrated enough with Okafor that he just didn't feel like he could win with him in the middle.

For all of Okafor's smarts – he was an academic star at Connecticut and carried a dictionary with him on the road – his basketball instincts were suspect. His numbers were pretty, but the Bobcats never went anywhere with him. And it's not easy to come up with a list of, say, Okafor's three best moments as a Bobcat.

Chandler, though, can also be a tease. He and Okafor were born just four days apart, and both will turn 27 before next season begins.

Chandler (7-foot-1, 235 pounds) at least will be better-equipped to defend Orlando stud Dwight Howard. But Chandler's numbers are worse than Okafor's, even though he had Chris Paul at point guard in New Orleans.

Another big factor to this trade: Okafor's guaranteed contract runs far longer than Chandler's. If Chandler doesn't work out, the Bobcats can go get somebody else in a couple of years. But they are about to get out of a contract that paid Okafor like the all-star I don't think he was ever going to be.

Still, Okafor is a classy guy, and he has all but left the building. That's a little sad. But it would be a whole lot sadder if the Bobcats had won anything worth winning during his five seasons here.

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so his take is they just got tired of a 14/10 guy that stays out of trouble but has a fairly low ceiling? damn hope they enjoy the tyson chandler experience in Charlotte

Ive been listening to Charlotte sports talk for their perspective.

The fans seem to hate it. The hosts seem to like it.

They keep talking about how Okafor just hasnt progressed as a player,especially offensively.

I know Okafor's not great offensively, but i dont think they understand how inept Chandler's offensive game is. He's absolutely putrid unless he's spoon-fed his points.
Plus i dont think Okafor can do anything but improve playing with Paul and West. He was at 15 & 11 as a rookie and i think he he can get to 18 & 11 playing with Paul. But even his rookie numbers would be a great improvement over Chandler

quote:

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Chandler (7-foot-1, 235 pounds) at least will be better-equipped to defend Orlando stud Dwight Howard. But Chandler's numbers are worse than Okafor's, even though he had Chris Paul at point guard in New Orleans.

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I like Chandler but i doubt he gives a 2007-2008 type effort playing injured, on a 30+ win team.

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contract year is the only reason he would give a shite

there must be some internal battles going on in Charlotte. Jordan has his guy rod higgins as the GM and somebody gave okafor all that money but it looks like today's trade is a franchise do over

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and i think he he can get to 18 & 11 playing with Paul.

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i think a decrease in scoring is likely with an increase in rebounding also likely

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i think a decrease in scoring is likely with an increase in rebounding also likely

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If Okafor can play the pick and roll, I think his scoring avg goes up a point or two per game. This is a good trade so long as we sign a servicable back-up big. Preferably one who can play the 4 and the 5.

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If Okafor can play the pick and roll,

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he can't shoot a jumper right now to really play it

but if he gets some dwest magic and develops a decent jumper (not a dwest jumper), he could become a beast. i don't see it, but it's not impossible

he signed with the Pistons already for like 3 mil per I believe