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New Los Angeles Lakers big man Tyson Chandler was a big part of the team's much-needed victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
Luke Walton on Tyson Chandler (1/2): "He's a winning player, he's a champion for a lot of years in this league & he gave us a taste of what he could do as far as when he was out there…" #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) November 8, 2018
Head coach Luke Walton acknowledged that point guard Rajon Rondo was a huge help for Chandler in his Lakers debut. Walton noted that his veteran point guard also made it easier for Chandler to go through the team's sets, considering that the defensive center just had a couple of days of familiarizing himself with the Lakers' system.
Luke Walton on Tyson Chandler (2/2): "…[Rajon] Rondo was doing a nice job of getting him where he needed to be on certain plays & with his fatigue level, he was very honest when he needed a sub. So, there was a just constant communication going with that." #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) November 8, 2018
The 32-year-old Chandler displayed his defensive capabilities against the Timberwolves, bodying up Karl-Anthony Towns and imposing his presence down low. Lakers fans got to see how Chandler could change the course of a game with his defense and rebounding, valuable assets that helped him win a championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.
On the other hand, it's no surprise that Rondo served as the on-court coach for his new teammate. His court smarts and leadership are his greatest assets.
Interestingly, both Rondo and Chandler have caused Lakers superstar LeBron James some headaches in the past. LeBron has had many great battles with Rondo and the Boston Celtics, while Chandler's 2011 Mavs pulled a stunning upset over James' Miami Heat in that year's NBA Finals.
