Defining Tyson Chandler, Resident Veteran
Tyson Chandler is the oldest player on the Suns. But just how important is he for the future success of the team?
When you think of Tyson Chandler, what is the first word that pops into your mind?
Old? Rebounder? Expensive? Leader?
For me, when I think of Tyson, I think compass. I think leader. I think someone the young Suns are lucky to have around.
I’ll admit, before Tyson was a member of the Suns, I didn’t know much about him. I was almost indifferent when they signed him. I definitely wasn’t singing his praise whenever I got the chance.
But these last three seasons have completely shaped my idea of him, and it is a positive one.
Let’s go back in time for a second. Back to Wednesday night. It’s the first quarter. There are 2.9 seconds on the clock, and the world just stops. Silence. Shock. Panic. These are the times leaders show themselves.
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Maybe you didn’t catch this moment, or maybe you did and just thought nothing of it. But when the cameras cut to Tyson, he was huddling all of his teammates together in what appeared to be a moment of prayer and composure.
It reminded me of how lucky we are to have him.
This is Tyson’s 17th season in the league. He’s a guy that’s seen it all, and knows how to handle certain situations. A majority of this roster is just getting started, and it’s a moment like Isaiah Canaan’s injury that could completely suck the life out of them.
Tyson made sure that didn’t happen. It was a brief moment, but for me, it was one that solidifies his importance to this team.
Everyone in that arena and everyone watching on television needed that moment. We all needed a second to collect ourselves. The only difference is that the Suns had to actually play another three quarters of basketball after witnessing something that could literally happen to any one of them at any time.
But Tyson got them together. They put their arms around each other symbolizing their unity. They’re reminded themselves that they are all in this thing together, no matter how hard it may get.
And then, they went out and won the game.
I knew Tyson would be an integral part of the development of this team very early on. Everyone remembers “Rookie/Vet”, the series produced by Steve Nash for The Players’ Tribune that documented Tyson Chandler’s 15th season and Devin Booker’s rookie year. I always go back to this.
“Rookie/Vet” may only be a series of four, five-minute episodes, but it put things in perspective for me. This was three years ago, yet I still go back to re-watch it. It was this series that made my appreciation for Tyson Chandler begin.
I give so much credit to veteran guys that play for teams that are clearly rebuilding. The core of the roster is so young, yet some vets happily accept their role as a teacher.
Tyson’s importance runs so much deeper than just the numbers he puts up in the minutes he plays. He’s a role model. He’s here to guide guys like Devin Booker, Marquese Chriss, Dragan Bender, and Josh Jackson. And, he appears to be doing this without a complaint.
I think a lot of people forget just how much Tyson has accomplished in his career. He’s been an All-Star (2013), he’s been the DPOY (2012), he’s made an All-NBA team (2012), and he even has an Olympic Gold Medal (2012). But, Tyson also has what everyone on this Suns team wants: an NBA Championship (2011).
Everyone is so concerned with the young players and the future of this team, that we forget how essential having a guy like Tyson is now to the future success of this team. What young player wouldn’t want to play with someone as accomplished as Tyson?
Tyson’s leadership, his presence, his mentorship will help shape so many of these players for the future because he’s with the team now, while they are still developing.
It’s not just about the numbers because he’s doing things for this team that no one can put on paper. Maybe that was part of the thought process when the Suns signed Tyson to a 4 year/$52-million contract in 2015.
Next: Josh Jackson: The Corner has been turned
Some may think he’s making too much money, and that the Suns should try to trade him to dump the salary, but I think the Suns need him. This isn’t just because the Suns need a big man after this Greg Monroe buyout.
Tyson is one of the leaders of this team. He’s helping develop the young core just as much as the coaches are. I truly believe that in a few years we’ll look back at Tyson’s career with the Suns and realize how essential he was during these trying times.
How would I define Tyson Chandler? Invaluable.