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146
JULY 2012
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HEMISPHERESMAGAZINE.COM
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CHANDLER:
No. The incredible coaching
staff that we have, led by Coach [Mike]
Krzyzewski, always gets the guys to
come together, to play hard and play
as one. And we understand that we’re
representing something that’s much
bigger than us as individuals. I think
we’re all up to the challenge.
HEMISPHERES:
There are some outsize
personalities heading to London, but for
all your aggressiveness on the court you’re
known for being somewhat even-keeled.
Do you think that factored into your being
selected for the team?
CHANDLER:
Yeah, I think that while a
big part was what I could bring to the
table as far as my performance on the
floor, I’m good in the locker room as
well. Every discussion with Coach K has
been “I want you to come here and just
be yourself.”
HEMISPHERES:
You bring a lot of energy
and spirit to whatever team you’re on.
CHANDLER:
Oh, definitely. Every night
you have to go out and play with a
certain passion. You’re not only playing
for yourself, your teammates and the
organization, but also for the fans who
come out and watch. You should give it
your all and give a great performance.
HEMISPHERES:
What would an Olympic
gold mean to you?
CHANDLER:
It’s something that every
kid dreams of, but it’s one of those
things that seem so out of reach. To be
able to represent myself, my family
and my country in the Olympics and
bring back a gold medal would mean
so much.
HEMISPHERES:
The NBA now has far more
international stars than it used to. Do you
think the Olympic Games have played a
role in that?
THE
HEMI
Q&A:
TYSONCHANDLER
CHANDLER:
Any time that you’re
able to see basketball on a world stage,
it sparks interest. Nowwe have a
lot of players from across the world
that make up our league, and I think
that with USA Basketball and every-
thing the NBA is doing globally, the
game is ge ing bigger and bigger.
There are kids all around the world
now, picking up a ball, that will one
day be in our league.
HEMISPHERES:
But on the flip side, it
makes the competition stronger.
CHANDLER:
Oh, yeah, so it’s good and
bad. [Laughs.] Good for the NBA, bad
every four years in the Olympics.
HEMISPHERES:
Who’s the team to beat
this year, besides you guys?
CHANDLER:
There are a lot of good
teams. You have Spain, France, Argen-
tina, Brazil ... but the main competition
is probably Spain.
HEMISPHERES:
Your defensive skills are
well known at this point, but in terms
of offense, how do you fit in with the rest
of the crew?
CHANDLER:
I think I fit in really well.
The coaching staff is all about fast-paced
pick and roll. There are a lot of talented
players who can create shots, create
plays, and the big guy has to get to the
rim and get up and down the court.
HEMISPHERES:
Are there any differences
in the style of play between the NBA and
international basketball?
CHANDLER:
Huge differences. There’s
less time—the quarters are shorter. The
floor is much more spread out, so a lot
of the big guys can step out and knock
down jump shots on the perimeter. And
there’s no three-second rule, which helps
because if I don’t have to worry about
that when I’m in the paint, it makes me
more effective defensively.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 148
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“It’s something that every kid dreams of,
but it’s one of those things that seem
so out of reach. To be able to represent
myself, my family and my country in the
Olympics and bring back a gold medal
would mean so much.”