Northwest Notes: Billups, Williams, Matthews
The start of the regular season is just two weeks away and franchises are still trying to finalize their regular season rosters. Teams can carry up to 20 players during the preseason but need to pare that number down to 15 by October 27th. In the Northwest Division the current preseason roster counts are Jazz (17); Wolves (18); Thunder (18); Blazers (17); and Nuggets (18). A number of tough decisions still need to be made by GMs, and a number of the players who get waived may end up in the NBA D-League hoping for a shot at some NBA action later in the season.
Here’s more from the Northwest Division:
- The Nuggets would love to bring Chauncey Billups into their front office, but it is unlikely to happen this season, writes Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post in his weekly mailbag. Billups made his preference to join a front office in some capacity known when he retired this summer.
- Mo Williams is focused on contributing to a young Wolves team for the time being, but he admits that he has aspirations of coaching an NBA club one day, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune. “I’ve got some years left in me,” said Williams. “But absolutely, they know that, a lot of coaches know it just because of my personality. It’s something when my legs say I can’t do it no more and guys like [Zach LaVine] and [Andrew Wiggins] keep coming into the league, I’ll probably have to start coaching.”
- Wesley Matthews doesn’t believe the end of his contract this summer will bring an end to his time with the Blazers, as he indicated to Erik Gundersen of The Columbian. “Every year is a contract year,” Matthews said when asked if he’d feel added pressure to perform this year.
Charlie Adams and Eddie Scarito contributed to this post.
Poll: Tyson Chandler Vs. Elton Brand
Earlier today, Hoops Rumors’ Eddie Scarito looked back at the deal that sent the draft rights of Tyson Chandler to the Bulls as part of the package that sent Elton Brand to the Clippers.
As a rookie, Brand looked to be a staple of the Bulls for years to come. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG on his way to sharing Rookie of the Year honors with Steve Francis. During the first nine years in the league, Brand never averaged less than 17.6 PPG and 8.0 RPG. His career peaked in 2006 where he was in the MVP discussion, posting a career-high 24.7 PPG along with 10.0 RPG and was named to the All-NBA Second Team as well as the All-Star team for the second and last time in his career.
After his ninth season, he left the Clippers in free agency to sign with the 76ers. Brand struggled with injuries and had a hard time living up to his five-year, $82MM contract during his time in Philadelphia, which led to the team releasing him via the amnesty clause. Brand was claimed by the Mavericks, but he only started 18 games for Dallas as the team missed the playoffs. Brand spent the 2013/14 season on the Hawks as a role player and in September re-signed with Atlanta on a one-year deal for $2MM.
Chandler’s first few years in the league weren’t as remarkable as Brand’s. His career didn’t take off until the he was traded to the New Orleans Hornets in 2006. Chandler broke out that year averaging 9.5 PPG, 12.4 RPG and 1.8 BPG. In 2009, he was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats for Emeka Okafor. During the 2009/10 season, Chandler battled injuries but helped the Bobcats reach the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
In 2010, Chandler was traded to the Mavericks, along with Alexis Ajinca, for Matt Carroll. Erick Dampier and Eduardo Najera. The Mavericks won the NBA Championship in 2010/11 and Chandler was an integral part of the Mavericks title run that year.
After the season, Chandler was sent to the Knicks in a sign-and-trade. In his three seasons with New York, Chandler made an All-Star Team (2013), an All-NBA Third Team (2012), an All-Defensive Second Team (2012), and an All-Defense First-Team (2013). He was also named the 2013 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. In June of 2014, Chandler was traded back to the Mavericks, along with Raymond Felton for Shane Larkin, Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert and two 2014 second round picks.
Elton Brand and Tyson Chandler have had different career paths, one player consistently statistically dominant with the other having reached higher team success. To date, which player has had the better career?
Poll: Who Has Had The Better Career To Date?
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Tyson Chandler 55% (399)
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Elton Brand 45% (330)
Total votes: 729