Tyson Chandler should be in the Hall of Fame
Tyson Chandler has had a storied career, but whether or not he has enough merit to earn a place in the Hall of Fame is another discussion all together.
The NBA Hall of Fame has some all-time greats among their ranks. Currently, former Phoenix Suns player Steve Nash is up for nomination to the Hall of Fame this year and by all rights should be a first ballot Hall of Famer for sure. While Nash looks forward to the Hall of Fame, another Suns’ player is quietly having a well accomplished career. Tyson Chandler recently reached the milestone of 10,000 rebounds, the 40th player to do so. While that is quite the accomplishment and puts him in good company among other Suns’ greats, the question remains where does Chandler rank among the NBA greats? Chandler has done enough in his career to eventually make the Hall of Fame.
The Numbers
Chandler may have never been the most spectacular scorer, but he had fantastic averages for a good portion of his career.
| Season | Age | Tm | Pos | G | GS | MP | FG% | 2P% | eFG% | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-02 | 19 | CHI | C | 71 | 31 | 19.6 | .497 | .497 | .497 | .604 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 4.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 6.1 |
| 2002-03 | 20 | CHI | C | 75 | 68 | 24.4 | .531 | .531 | .531 | .608 | 2.3 | 4.6 | 6.9 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 2.9 | 9.2 |
| 2003-04 | 21 | CHI | PF | 35 | 8 | 22.3 | .424 | .427 | .424 | .669 | 2.3 | 5.4 | 7.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 2.5 | 6.1 |
| 2004-05 | 22 | CHI | C | 80 | 10 | 27.4 | .494 | .496 | .494 | .673 | 3.3 | 6.4 | 9.7 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 3.4 | 8.0 |
| 2005-06 | 23 | CHI | C | 79 | 50 | 26.8 | .565 | .567 | .565 | .503 | 3.4 | 5.7 | 9.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 3.8 | 5.3 |
| 2006-07 | 24 | NOK | C | 73 | 73 | 34.6 | .624 | .625 | .624 | .527 | 4.4 | 8.0 | 12.4 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 3.3 | 9.5 |
| 2007-08 | 25 | NOH | C | 79 | 79 | 35.2 | .623 | .624 | .623 | .593 | 4.1 | 7.7 | 11.7 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 3.1 | 11.8 |
| 2008-09 | 26 | NOH | C | 45 | 45 | 32.1 | .565 | .565 | .565 | .579 | 3.6 | 5.1 | 8.7 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 8.8 |
| 2009-10 | 27 | CHA | C | 51 | 27 | 22.8 | .574 | .574 | .574 | .732 | 2.2 | 4.0 | 6.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 2.7 | 6.5 |
| 2010-11 | 28 | DAL | C | 74 | 74 | 27.8 | .654 | .654 | .654 | .732 | 2.8 | 6.6 | 9.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 3.2 | 10.1 |
| 2011-12 | 29 | NYK | C | 62 | 62 | 33.2 | .679 | .683 | .679 | .689 | 3.4 | 6.5 | 9.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 11.3 |
| 2012-13 | 30 | NYK | C | 66 | 66 | 32.8 | .638 | .638 | .638 | .694 | 4.1 | 6.6 | 10.7 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 10.4 |
| 2013-14 | 31 | NYK | C | 55 | 55 | 30.2 | .593 | .595 | .593 | .632 | 2.9 | 6.7 | 9.6 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 2.6 | 8.7 |
| 2014-15 | 32 | DAL | C | 75 | 75 | 30.5 | .666 | .666 | .666 | .720 | 3.9 | 7.6 | 11.5 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 10.3 |
| 2015-16 | 33 | PHO | C | 66 | 60 | 24.5 | .583 | .585 | .583 | .620 | 2.7 | 6.1 | 8.7 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 7.2 |
| 2016-17 | 34 | PHO | C | 47 | 46 | 27.6 | .671 | .671 | .671 | .734 | 3.3 | 8.2 | 11.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 8.4 |
| 2017-18 | 35 | PHO | C | 34 | 34 | 25.6 | .615 | .615 | .615 | .640 | 3.1 | 6.7 | 9.8 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 6.6 |
| Career | 1067 | 863 | 28.3 | .595 | .596 | .595 | .647 | 3.2 | 6.2 | 9.4 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.9 | 8.6 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/18/2018.
The second pick of the 2001 NBA Draft had averaged a double-double in three seasons and averaged at least one block in his first 14 seasons. While his averages aren’t flashy, no one can deny how consistent they have been. Beyond his averages, Chandler does provide some very intriguing career ranks. Offensively, Chandler is surprising very good in several regards. Chandler ranks second in NBA/ABA history in field goal percentage. He’s ranked third in NBA/ABA history in true shooting percentage and Chandler also has the 12th best offensive rating in NBA/ABA history.
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Chandler’s rebounding numbers are particularly impressive. Chandler is 44th in NBA/ABA history in total rebounds and 40th in NBA history. Chandler is 21st in total offensive rebounds in NBA/ABA history and he ranks 18th in NBA history. In NBA/ABA history, Chandler ranks 15th in total rebound percentage and in NBA history he’s ranked 12th.
Chandler’s rebounding and high shooting percentages make a strong case for the center, however he has the accolades to back up his numbers.
The Honors
Chandler was an important part of the Dallas Mavericks when they defeated LeBron James and the Miami Heat in 2011 for the franchises’ first championship. Chandler also has one All-Star Game under his belt in 2013. He was awarded Defensive Player of the Year in the 2011-2012 season. He also made third team All-NBA and second team NBA All-Defense that same season. He made second team All-Defense one other time for the 2010-2011 season. Chandler was named first team All-Defense in the 2012-2013 season.
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Chandler’s near the top of several statistical categories and multiple accolades. By no way is this to imply that Chandler is one of the best centers in NBA history. He simply isn’t, however he has done enough throughout his career to earn serious consideration by the Hall of Fame. It’s seriously doubtful that he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer, but he’s had a good enough career to get in there eventually.