Chandler's absence leaves hole in defense

[Copperhead]

Scott says center making progress with injured ankle

Sometimes it's easy to overlook the absence of a player on the floor, but for the Hornets, it has become evident just how much center Tyson Chandler is missed, especially on the defensive end.

With Chandler in the starting lineup, the Hornets were leading the NBA in fewest points allowed in the paint. In the first 38 games of the season, New Orleans was allowing an average of 33.9 points inside.

In the past six games, all of which Chandler has missed with a sprained left ankle, the Hornets have allowed an average of 38 points in the paint.

"Tony Parker's first 12 points the other night were all layups," said Coach Byron Scott of the Spurs' point guard. "Points have become pretty easy in there since (Chandler's) been out. One thing we said about Tyson is you don't underestimate his importance to this team. He's so quick and long and so athletic, he makes up for a lot of deficiencies we have on the defensive end. And it's not so much he has to block shots. He's just there. His presence has been missed big time.

"Teams have been able to go in there and not so much as even have to look for him. When he's in there, they know he's coming from somewhere. We've got to do a better job of not allowing people to beat us off the dribble so quick, and then we've got to do a better job on the weak side of recognizing when we are beat to get there a little quicker as well. We're a step and a half slow, and teams are getting uncontested layups. We've got to take that away."

Hilton Armstrong mostly has filled the role of starting center in Chandler's absence.

Chandler worked on the floor at this morning's shoot-around, Scott said, doing some running and defensive drills.

"That," Scott said, "was encouraging."

http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/inde...700.xml&coll=1

[NOHCP3]

Any word on whether hes still on the block or not? That scares me a little. His numbers are down but I think if we trade him we slowly move towars not being a serious contender. We got the perfect storm with injuries last year. I knew we werent going to be as lucky this year. We have yet to have a fully healthy team. I think if we get all the pieces back together well be okay.