Tyson Chandler is officially a Laker and aside from moving from a struggling Phoenix team to a more ambitious lineup, the hub will also be coming home.
Indeed, he was born in Hanford, California, between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and he played in high school in Compton.
“I can’t wait to come home”, explains former Knicks pivot. “I will have the chance to play in front of my family, my friends, those who have supported me for years. Coming back to this city and being part of this adventure mightn’t have been better for me. “
In addition, he was 14 when Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant landed in 1996.
“I grew up watching Shaq and Kobe. I used to come to the games and I was a fan of purple and yellow. I have spent my career facing them. You are always over-motivated when you play once morest your native team. Now I can wear this jersey and I don’t know how I’m going to feel when I step on the floor. “
Still able to swallow 9 rebounds on average in 25 minutes last season, Tyson Chandler has 75 playoff games in his legs and his defensive references will not be too much in a team that suffers in this area.
“I will bring defense, leadership. I’ve watched these players, I’ve seen Lonzo Ball since he was in college. Kyle Kuzma played with my brother. I see the spark, the fight in them. I will help them, teach them what to do to be a champion, and thus bring a new banner to this franchise. “
Last point: the former pivot of the Mavericks will rub shoulders with LeBron James from whom he stole a ring in 2011. The winger was then in Miami and had lost 4-2 once morest the Texan formation. Now, the two NBA and Olympic champions are teaming up.
“I can’t wait to play with him. We have evolved together several times with Team USA. I have always admired his game, but not only his leadership as well, what he brings to the sport. “