LAS VEGAS – Other than having a few more skins on the wall, like an NBA championship ring and defensive player of the year trophy, Tyson Chandler doesn’t see much difference between himself and Mavericks’ rookie Dereck Lively II.
Same angular build. Same goes-on-forever height. Same ridiculous wing span.
Which is why Chandler is bullish on the future of the 19-year-old rookie that the Mavericks took with the 12th overall pick in last month’s draft. That’s 21 years after Chandler was selected No. 2 overall in 2001.
Now, after a 19-year playing career highlighted by the 2011 championship with Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and the rest of the Mavericks, Chandler is serving in a new capacity, one that might be just as important as him patrolling the paint, rebounding and swatting shots.