Like a mad scientist, Hornets coach Byron Scott has Frankensteined his own Marcus Camby.
Playing center for the Hornets is the lanky, skyscraping Tyson Chandler, known for his fierce defense, gluttonous rebounding and shot-blocking that makes even surefire guards tentative to drive.
Fittingly, Hornets guard Morris Peterson told reporters that Chandler “is a monster.”
Nuggets coach George Karl called the 25-year-old Chandler “a young Marcus.”
Considered a bust with the Chicago Bulls, Chandler joined New Orleans last season and nearly averaged a double-double (9.5 points, 12.4 rebounds). Now, many around the league, notably Scott, said Chandler plays similarly to the Nuggets’ Camby, the reigning NBA defensive player of the year. The Nuggets host the Hornets tonight at the Pepsi Center, two 2-0 teams with a formidable center at their core.
“Tyson really hits the glass,” Camby said of Chandler, the NBA’s No. 2 rebounder last season. “He is a physical presence on the defensive end. Similarly to what I bring to my team is what he brings to his team. And he’s just getting better and better with time.”
Camby played brilliantly Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring 14 points with a game-high 21 rebounds in the Nuggets’ 99-91 win. It was Camby who tipped in a missed shot with 1:15 left to give the Nuggets a 96-91 lead, his fifth offensive rebound; the rest of the Nuggets combined for four, and the Timberwolves also finished with nine.
Camby and Karl said the key tonight is forcing Chandler outside of the paint – and making him force difficult shots.
“He’s still not very effective if you keep him out of the paint and away from the basket,” Karl said of Chandler. “But he has great footwork, catching lobs and pick-and- rolls, stuff that’s difficult to read. And (point guard) Chris Paul looks for him a great deal. He’ll get four or five low block catches. They will reward him, they will give him touches. Hopefully he’ll shoot a low percentage and doesn’t become a problem in the fourth quarter.”
Camby must keep a body on Chandler, who, like his counterpart, has a nose for offensive rebounding. Last season, Chandler led the NBA with 4.4 per game.
“He’s a guy who’s going to hang around the basket,” Camby said. “And he has such great length and he can jump.”
Last season, once Chandler became accustomed to the Hornets’ fast-paced style, he fit in swimmingly. After Feb. 1, he averaged 12.8 points and 14.0 rebounds.
Camby and Chandler met only once last season, a 106-91 Nuggets’ win on March 6 in Denver. Both players stuffed the stat sheet that night. Camby had only eight points but tallied 11 rebounds, six assists, four steals and six blocks. Chandler scored 15 with 18 rebounds and four blocks of his own.
“We liked Tyson a couple years ago before he was traded,” Karl said. “And he really has come fast in the past six months.”
NEW ORLEANS AT DENVER
6 p.m. tonight, ALT, KKFN 950 AM
Spotlight on Chris Paul: The Hornets point guard is a dazzling, pass-happy team captain who has revitalized the Hornets’ organization – and is the key to a possible playoff push this season. “Paul probably has as much freedom as Tony Parker or Steve Nash,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “They’re just giving him total freedom.”
NOTEBOOK
Nuggets: On Friday, reserve guard Mike Wilks played 20 of his 30 minutes in the second half, finishing with eight points and three assists. … Forward Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with a game-high 33 points in the Friday victory at Minnesota. He also had a game-high seven turnovers. The Nuggets are without guards Chucky Atkins (groin), J.R. Smith (team suspension) and Anthony Carter (hand). This game will be the last of Smith’s three-game suspension, and he is expected to make his season debut Tuesday in New York. … Former NBA center Ervin Johnson, who played for the Nuggets in 1996-97, is now a Nuggets community ambassador.
Hornets: The team is back full time in New Orleans after spending most of the past two seasons in Oklahoma City, following Hurricane Katrina. … Forward Peja Stojakovic, a three-time all-star, missed 69 games last season with a back injury, but this season is averaging 18.5 points per game. … Former Nuggets fan favorite Ryan Bowen now plays for the Hornets.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
