Bobcats Trade Okafor to Hornets for Chandler

"The Charlotte Bobcats are finalizing a trade that would send Emeka Okafor to the New Orleans Hornets for Tyson Chandler, two people familiar with the deal told the Associated Press on Monday. The swap of 26-year-old centers wasn't expected to be completed until Tuesday and was unlikely to include other players, the people said on condition of anonymity because an official announcement has not been made. The deal would be another roster shake up for the Bobcats since Larry Brown took over as coach last season, and is a gamble because Chandler has been plagued by a left toe injury and recently underwent surgery (Sportsline)."

I really like this trade for the Hornets. I know Okafor never became the guy he was supposed to be when he was taken with the #2 pick over in 2004, but he still puts up solid numbers (13.2 points and 10.1 rebounds for Charlotte last season). Larry Brown questioned his passion, but I think he is what he is. He plays solid defense and can give you 10-15 points a game. With the NBA the way it is you just need a solid big man that can rip down boards, and complement the offense.

The reason I like this deal better for the Hornets is because Okafor is much more durable. Chandler is taller, at 7-1, but averaged only 8.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in a year when he was traded twice. He also had offseason surgery on his toe, which is always a red flag for any big man.

Overall nice trade for the Hornets...

Random Stuff

-Who doesn't agree with Lebron regarding the Dunk Contest? It sucks and needs to include only superstars who will be limited to two attempts. I watched less than half of it on Saturday night because it was boring and I thought it was a waste of time. The first thing the league needs to do is limit the contest (and all of the skills contests for that matter) to those who have been selected as all-stars.

If you're the NBA, dish out the cash and let us see D-Wade and Lebron battle it out a la Dominique and Jordan.

While we're talking about Lebron, don't underestimate how much his sense of history will have a role in his quest for Jordan's title as The Greatest Ever. After losing game 7 of the Celtics-Cavs series last May he compared the game to Bird and Dominique's shootout in 1988. He didn't whine about the tight loss but chose to appreciate how the game will be perceived down the road. The recent Dunk Contest comments may seem insignificant but he knows Jordan going dunk for dunk with another great only added to his legend. I think it's refreshing for a player to have such a keen knowledge of the history of the game as well as his potential place in it.

-From a Celtics standpoint, the only thing that happened today of any relevance was the Cavs not using Wally Szczerbiak's expiring contract to acquire Antawn Jamison. Had that deal happened, the Cavs might have sealed a trip to the Finals. Whew.

-When Tyson Chandler's trip to Oklahoma City was canceled it made me think of the awkwardness that ensued when Danny Fortson was traded from the Celtics to Toronto in February of 2000 for Alvin Williams and Sean Marks. On his way out he referred to the Celts as a "sinking ship" (which they were) and he went on and on how happy he was to be out of Boston. Then he failed his physical up in Canada. Back to Bean town. Oops. Good thing Chandler kept quiet on his way out.

-Isn't it weird to have things so calm and quiet in Fort Myers? I think Jonathan Papelbon should engage in a chugging contest with David Ortiz to liven things up down in at the City of Palms Park. My bet would be on Paps.

-If you're a Patriots fan, "The Blueprint" by Chris Price is worth a read. He really does a great job at comparing the Moneyball approach to the Pats' salary-cap magic acts.

Tyson Chandler Trade Dead

"Tyson Chandler missed the New Orleans Hornets' last 12 games before the All-Star break with a sprained left ankle. But that had nothing to do with why he failed his physical with the Oklahoma City Thunder and was thus sent back to the Hornets on Wednesday. After examining Chandler's left big toe, Dr. Carlan Yates, Oklahoma City's team physician, determined that the risk of re-injury was too great to give Chandler a clean bill of health (ESPN)."

Not only were the Hornets not able to cut salary, but they are now stuck with a guy who has a "high probability" of reinjuring that toe. I am sure Chandler with not be very happy that he was being traded, and the team won't be happy that the deal fell through because he couldn't pass a physical. As DP said yesterday, this team's chances of doing anything in the Western Conference has gone out the door, and even with Chandler back I don't think it will change anything.

Yesterday Was A Sad Day For New Orleans Sports

Yesterday, all the New Orleans residence that I got in contact with were absolutely horrified of the sports news they have heard. The first was the releasing of their Savior Deuce McAllister, and the second was the realization the Hornets no longer care about winning this year with the end of the Cresent City Connection (Paul to Chandler).

Deuce McAllister may have had a couple of past down years, but the people of New Orleans had this ridiculous faith in him and him being the reason the Saints Savior from the lovable losers to the promise land (or play-offs). he basically hold all of the Saints rushing records. Deuce was also a fan favorite because it rescued the city from Ricky Williams. He will now go on to probably run for the Patriots or Bengals but at heart he will always be a Saint and this city will always hold him in a high regard.

O.K. enough with me trying to sound like a writer:

The Second terrible move was shipping another fan favorite Tyson Chandler for two bums in Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox in order to cut costs next year. If I were a Hornets fan I would be fucking pissed. Chandler was great for them and since his injury the team went 9-9 and anybody and everybody could score from the inside on them. The Hornets were a dark horse for a title run, but now, I doubt they will even make the play-offs now. Also, he got traded right before Mardi Gras and that just sucks.

Chandler To Thunder?

"The New Orleans Hornets and Oklahoma City are closing in on a deal that will send center Tyson Chandler to the Thunder, according to NBA front-office sources.
Two sources with knowledge of the trade parameters told ESPN.com that the deal is likely to be completed later Tuesday.
Although the entirety of the package New Orleans would receive for Chandler was not immediately known, ESPN.com reported early Monday that the Hornets -- who are looking to move Chandler mostly for financial reasons -- were in talks with the Thunder on a trade that would net the expiring contracts of forwards Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox.
The Thunder also possess numerous draft picks to sweeten trade packages, including five first-round picks in the next two drafts." ESPN

Well now my championship picks are really off. Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith both suck. If the Hornets wanted to win they would have needed to keep Chandler instead of worrying to clear salary space. I just hope for the Hornets sake that they are able to get a first round pick from the Thunder. With Chandler gone, that now leaves only untried Hilton Armstrong as the starting center. It's a shame what has happened to the Hornets this year. this all could have been avoided with the resigning of Pargo.