Chandler says he has nothing to prove to Bulls
Before his latest return to Chicago, Hornets center Tyson Chandler insisted that having a good game against his former team was the least of his worries.
That philosophy probably served Chandler well when he badly missed 4 consecutive free throws in the first half of Tuesday's game at the United Center.
By the time New Orleans had secured a 100-86 win, Chandler piled up 16 rebounds to go with 4 points, 3 steals and 3 blocks.
The 7-foot-1 center, who spent his first five NBA seasons with the Bulls, had some key plays in the fourth quarter, including an alley-oop dunk off a pass from Chris Paul. Chandler's offensive rebound set up a basket that put the Hornets ahead 90-84 with 3:38 remaining, and he added a late block against Joe Smith.
"It was a lot more important to me to have a great game against them last year," Chandler told the New Orleans Times-Picayune before departing for Chicago. "I feel a little different this year. It's kind of the past now. Last year it was fresh, wanting to prove your former team wrong that they got rid of you.
"But now we're doing so well, that's the last thing on my mind. I shouldn't have felt like I had anything to prove then, either, but I did. Now I really don't feel like I have anything to prove."
Skiles gone and forgotten: Tyson Chandler and former Bulls coach Scott Skiles traded a few insults after Chandler was sent to the Hornets in July 2006.
Chandler complained that he lost some confidence during his final season in Chicago. Skiles, meanwhile, threw the occasional subtle jab without mentioning Chandler by name.
It's a non-issue now that Skiles was fired by the Bulls on Dec. 24 and Chandler is performing well for one of the NBA's best teams.
"I knew it was a matter of time (before Skiles was fired)," Chandler said before the game. "I didn't think it would come that soon. I thought it'd be closer to the break. But that was about it.
"The funny thing is my last year things were going so bad, every time I'd drive to the arena, it would be tough. I'd be like, 'I hope I have a good game.'
"Now, I roll to the arena and the thought about having a good game is the last thing on my mind. It's like, 'How are they going to stop us out there?' "
Bull horns: Chris Duhon will be honored for his charitable work by the National Basketball Players Association during all-star weekend in New Orleans. … Center Aaron Gray (2 points, 3 rebounds) played in both halves Tuesday, while Tyrus Thomas (3 points, no rebounds) stayed on the bench after halftime. … Hornets swingman Morris Peterson missed his second game Tuesday with back spasms.