New Orleans Pelicans All-Time Franchise Team: Starting Center

Mar 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) yells from the bench against the New Orleans Pelicans at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Matt (@Matt_Cianfrone): Tyson Chandler

Throughout the process of choosing this roster, two groups of Hornets have been very popular. One was the first group of players to play in New Orleans, who were rightfully recognized for bringing a culture of NBA basketball back to New Orleans. The other has been players from the 2008-2010 teams who had the single most successful season in the franchise’s history when they won 56 games and went to the Western Conference semifinals which they lost in seven games.

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Tyson Chandler was a part of that second group of players and thanks to it earns himself the nod as my starting center, which seemed crazy when he first arrived in New Orleans.

At that point, Chandler had been a young big man full of potential but lacking enough production to justify his high draft pick slot, which ultimately led to his leaving Chicago and ending up in the Hornets teal.  There he found a perfect spot on a great team, finishing lobs from Chris Paul offensively and cleaning the glass and paint on defense.

Chandler eventually left the Hornets and went on to win an NBA title and make an All-Star appearance but his time in New Orleans was great. Add in the fact that Chris Paul is on this roster as well and it seems fitting that Chandler gets to throw down lobs and clean the glass around a bunch of talented players once again.

Next: Austin's Choice