Sorry, Tyson, I guess the Hornets didn't share your emotions, and how could they? It's hard to be an NBA franchise in these dire times and have one's two highest paid players be you and Peja Stojakovic. Of course, the Thunder apparently have no problem paying you twice as much as they paid Chris Wilcox, which means they are paying roughly $2 million per rebound you average more than him. Chandler averages 8ppg and 8rpg. Wilcox averages 8ppg and 5rpg. I guess that proves Tyson Chandler's upside at 26 is more than Chris Wilcox's upside at 26.
Still, the most interesting aspect of this trade for me is that it features not only Wilcox but Joe Smith. These two guys, plus Steve Francis and Len Bias, may he rest in peace, represent the underachieving that has become synonymous with Maryland Terrapins basketball. I remember when Joe Smith was better than Rasheed Wallace and Tim Duncan. I remember when Joe Smith did things on a basketball court that made one forget he had the most bland name in sports. His nickname should be John Doe, except it would take too much effort for that to become part of anyone's vernacular. Just like, it would have been too much effort for Joe Smith to ever enter a weight room. Maybe Stan Yuengling can solve the conundrum that is Maryland basketball for us.
In the meantime, I agree with David West's thoughts on the trade: "I don't know if that's somebody we can afford to lose, so I'm not sold on the idea. You just don't find a 7-foot-1 athlete like that and he's the only 7-footer we have. Especially if we're planning on making a run into the playoffs, we're going to need size to compete with Portland, San Antonio, and the Lakers." As a Spurs fan, I think New Orleans just got a lot easier to defend and score against. Neither Wilcox nor Joe Smith are the shot blocker that Chandler is.
This trade feels like a white flag from last year's upstart team.
2 comments:
Joe Smith: It’s hard to believe that he was taken #1 overall in front of Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace, and Kevin Garnett. My understanding is that he just didn’t put the time in the weight room.
February 17, 2009 at 10:15 PMSteve Francis: He was Co-Rookie of the Year with Elton Brand and a 3-time all-star. Not the mention runner-up to Vince Carter in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest (which also featured Tracy McGrady). Some would say that it’s the injuries that cut his career short. I think that he just never recovered from Magic traded away Cuttino Mobley. After that he had no reason to wake up in the morning.
Chris Wilcox: I think the verdict is still out on him. When he came out of Maryland he was very raw, and apparently still is. But what you have to realize is that he was averaging 8 points and 5 rebounds playing 19 minutes per game in Oklahoma City. Tyson Chandler averaged 8 points and 8 rebounds playing 31 minutes per game. Wilcox should now be starting in New Orleans, so we’ll see how he plays with a change of scenery. He’s Maryland’s last hope.
When I lived in the Tidewater area, Joe Smith and Allen Iverson were the pride of Hampton Roads. Mind you this was early in both of their careers but every year during the preseason the Warriors and Sixers would play a game at the Scope. It was pretty much the highlight of the late summer, but recollecting on the memory it's weird how their two careers went in two entirely different paths.
February 17, 2009 at 10:41 PMPost a Comment