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Points aren't the only measure of a player's offensive impact. Sometimes it's how a player's presence skews the other team's defense.
Eight seasons into his NBA career, Charlotte Bobcats center Tyson Chandler appreciates that. Ask him about the slight offensive up-tick he made just before getting hurt, and he doesn't talk about himself.
He talks about Stephen Jackson and Flip Murray, and how those two offer hope for the worst offense in the league.
"Having Jack and Flip out there - two playmakers - makes our offense flow so much easier," Chandler said.
"When I'm setting those screens for Jack, he can make those reads. He's a bigger guard who can see those passes. I've always been someone who feeds off other guys."
The difference in skill set between shooting guard Jackson and his predecessor, Raja Bell, became apparent quickly. Bell is a fine defender and strong long-range shooter, but he'd be the first to say he isn't much of a ballhandler or driver. And the wrist injury he suffered in the preseason prohibited him from passing with his left hand.
Jackson can create his own shot, as can Murray, and that fills a void. It's measurable in the four games since Jackson arrived from the Golden State Warriors and Murray took on a larger role that the offense has inched upward.
In those four games, the Bobcats averaged 92 points and shot 48 percent from the field. In the previous nine games this season, the Bobcats averaged 82 points on 39 percent shooting.
No coincidence, Chandler says.
"When you have guys (on the perimeter) who are always prepared to score, it makes the defense shift a little bit," Chandler described. "Before, the defense could just pack it into the paint and dare us to shoot jump shots."
Chandler explained that with Jackson and Murray at the wings, defenses must commit to over-playing the ball to prevent an obvious scoring opportunity. That creates a weak side of the defense, allowing Chandler to flash to the rim.
That, he says, accounts for his seven points and three trips to the foul line in the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers a week ago.
"There was no chance to flash behind your man if your man's always standing next to you," Chandler said.
Chandler missed the past 21/2 games with back spasms, but practiced fully Tuesday and expects to play tonight against the Toronto Raptors.
Beyond Jackson's and Murray's impact of late, Chandler mentioned one more reason the Bobcats have made some progress: A less-is-more approach to play-calling.
Chandler and small forward Gerald Wallace say coach Larry Brown trimmed back the play selection of late, apparently to make it easier on the newcomers.
Wallace estimated the active plays have been trimmed from 30 pages to three. Chandler put it this way:
"I'd rather be great at 15 plays than just OK at 70."
