Tyson Chandler Keeping Injury Bug, Father Time Away

In case you missed it, Tyson Chandler had himself a ball game in Dallas’ 128-114 loss to the Golden State Warriors. If you didn’t see the game live you might not have heard about it, (something about a 51-point performance from Steph Curry dominated the highlights on Sportscenter) but Chandler was downright dominant.

He was 8-9 from the floor, scored 21 points, and came down with 17 rebounds in a performance I can best describe as youthful.

Fitting, since Chandler has seemingly discovered the fountain of youth in his first season back in Dallas. We all knew what the Mavericks were getting in Chandler when he came back from the Knicks. He’s hard working, a leader, and a tremendous defender, all traits that have endeared him to fans of the game.

The question mark was his health. He was entering his 14th NBA season and his history of lower extremity injuries was at least slightly concerning. He missed 27 games his final season in New York with a broken bone in his leg and has dealt with a stress fracture in his foot and a toe injury that derailed a trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the past.

Chandler has played 75 games or more in just three seasons, played nearly 900 games, and has logged over 25,000 minutes.

Well, no problems so far. Don’t worry, I’m typing with one hand while I knock on wood with the gusto of Woody Woodpecker.

In fact, Chandler is in the midst of perhaps his finest season yet. He’s averaging at least 12 boards for only the second time in his career, his 10.8 points per game are his third-most ever, and he’s shooting a career-high 68% from the field. All while singlehandedly keeping the Maverick defense borderline respectable.

Nov 22, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) is fouled while trying to dunk the ball against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

But it’s not just that he has done all of that. It’s how he’s done it. Chandler looks spry. He’s flying around the court for rim-rattling lob finishes, blocking shots and deflecting passes, and generally displaying the type of athleticism seldom seen from 32-year old seven-footers.

Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and with a comfortable lead, Chandler deflected a pass, sprinted the length of the court, and dove to save the ball to Dwight Powell.

It was the type of play you rarely see from 22-year olds, much less players a decade older.

But it is the type of play Mavericks fans have grown to expect from the team’s emotional leader, even 14 years in. Don’t expect that to change anytime soon, either. Chandler is a grizzled vet but playing like a spring chicken.

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Tyson Chandler Keeping Injury Bug, Father Time Away

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