NBA week 4 recap: Caris LeVert injury and Jimmy Butler trade assessment

Chandler’s immediate impact

It’s been a strong start for the Los Angeles Lakers newest addition Tyson Chandler. He’s made an impact in his first three games for his hometown team, averaging 8.3 rebounds per game, 4.7 of them on the offensive end, along with 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals in his short stint with the Lakers.

He was brought to the Lakers to provide stability behind JaVale McGee and do his part in shoring up a turnstile interior defense. Chandler has done that and then some, posting an outstanding 89.3 defensive rating. McGee has been great this season, but Chandler has already asserted himself as the closing big man, making key plays in two of the three games he’s played with the Lakers to clinch victories.

His first game in Los Angeles, Chandler did two of his patented tap-out offensive rebounds to help the Lakers drain the clock while holding a one-point lead in the closing minute against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He then won the game for the Lakers with a game-saving block at the rim as time expired against the Atlanta Hawks.

Chandler seems to be loved by his teammates already. He’s making big plays and playing valuable minutes for the Lakers. He didn’t play much in Phoenix, so he still has plenty of miles left in his legs.