At 36, Tyson Chandler may seem out of place on the rebuilding Suns, but he remains focused on providing the best possible example for his young teammates, writes Gina Mizell of The Athletic. Chandler, who is beginning his 18th NBA season, admits the process of getting ready is much different now than when he entered the league in 2001.
“When I was a rookie, I just had a bunch of nervous energy. You’re young and you can move all over the place,” he said. “Now everything is precise. Everything has a time. Even energy output, you just kind of measure everything you do now in this league. I used to get so pumped up. Now it’s all mental where I analyze what’s going on.”
Even so, Chandler isn’t ready to give up the NBA lifestyle. He hopes to reach at least 20 years in the league, although with an expiring contract that may happen somewhere other than Phoenix. He will help mentor No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton for now and may be a popular target at the trade deadline among teams that need frontcourt depth.
There’s more today out of Phoenix:
- After experimenting with several options at point guard during the preseason, Isaiah Canaan will be the starter in tonight’s season opener, Mizell tweets. Coach Igor Kokoskov indicated that Devin Booker may finish out games at the position in an effort to get the best offensive lineup on the court.
- Jamal Crawford finalized his contract with the Suns just in time for tonight’s game and is eager to get started with his new team. In a video posted by The Arizona Republic, the 38-year-old expressed confidence that Phoenix is moving in the right direction. “I feel re-energized, to be honest with you,” Crawford said. “I just like what the organization’s doing. I like the moves they’re making. I love the young players, I love the vets they brought in, so I’m excited.” Crawford said Kokoskov just asked him to be the same type of player he has been throughout his career.
- Booker believes the addition of Ayton provides the chance to build a winner, relays Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Although Booker has blossomed into one of the NBA’s best young players, the Suns haven’t been competitive since he arrived. “It’s a start of his legacy,” Booker said of Ayton. “His new career. My job is to make it special for him and not make it like my first three years. So turn it around. Let him be known as a winner. Let our whole organization turn around to a winning franchise.”
i gave-up on a tyson trade to the celtics. desperately they’ve needed a glass cleaner since perk, seemed like win/win
Absolutely love that last little quote from Booker. He’s such an awesome young man, and he certainly deserves to find more success, and be on a contending team. Hopefully, he and Ayton, can ignite this Phoenix franchise and vault them into the playoffs in a year or two.
All I know is with Booker, Ayton, Warren, Jackson, Bridges, Holmes, Bender, and Ariza all around for at least the next few years, they certainly have the talent to contend. It’s just going to all hinge on their ability to play well together, grow together, and ultimately learning how to win together..
Regardless, in terms of two young studs, one a guard and the other a big, you’d be hard pressed to find two more talented youngsters on one team than Book and Ayton…Obviously, you have Simmons and Embiid, but with Bookers ability to shoot from deep and score from anywhere, there’s a decent argument to be made that Phoenix may have the more promising duo..
A wise approach by Booker. Very mature, after getting paid. Maybe he’s alright.(I have been critical)
Putting winning “responsibility” on Ayton frees Booker to rule the dribble-down-the-court-and-shoot game, his best feature.