Tyson Chandler not 100%

[ChrisTheFuturePaul]

Tyson's toe could become Hornets' pain

Posted by John DeShazier, The Times-Picayune September 25, 2008 10:06AM

Let's just say it's not a good thing that Tyson Chandler still has a sore big toe. Let's just say that as the Hornets prepare to open training camp Friday, Tyson's toe could become a pain in the Hornets' stinger if it doesn't get better and chances might not be good that it's going to get much better.

Coach Byron Scott can dial back on Chandler's participation in training camp and try to finesse his regular-season minutes. He can sit out Chandler for days at a time if he wants, because it's not as if Chandler doesn't know what's going on with the Hornets' offense or defense.

That'll help, for sure.

But the fact is he injured his toe at the end of the last regular season, aggravated it during the playoffs and was bothered by it enough that it prevented him from practicing with Team USA as an alternate for the Beijing Olympics. Rest this summer hasn't completely alleviated the pain; he reported minor soreness and when it comes to athletes, "minor" usually is a lot more major than they let on.

Now, Chandler was effective while nursing the injury for the Hornets last season. He didn't miss a beat and the Hornets are going to need him in order for them to be the team they want to be because right now, he's one of the top five centers in the NBA. Other than Yao Ming and Dwight Howard, it's hard to think of another one or two that are more effective and crucial to their teams. Chandler's advantage is his athleticism - he can outrun most guards on the break so most big men don't have a prayer.

But it's hard to be what you want to be as an athlete when one of your wheels is a little faulty, and you depend a lot on your wheels.

The likelihood that his toe will be an ongoing issue is high, considering the probability that at some point, it'll be stepped on by a teammate or opponent, or he'll land on it wrong after a rebound or after dunking a lob pass from Chris Paul, or something freakish will happen that we haven't even considered.

Last season he showed he could play with it. But then, he wasn't facing nearly as many games and because of the playoffs, he had more time to rest between games. Now, he and Scott will have to find a way to get the most out of Chandler while protecting the injury.

While juggling pins, they're hoping to not miss and have one land on Tyson's toe.