Los Angeles Lakers: Player Rankings through the first half of the season (41 Games)

3. Tyson Chandler

2018-19 per game stats: 3.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.57 SPG, .592 FG%, 0 3P%

VORP: 0.3, 7th on the Lakers

WS: 1.7, 6th on the Lakers

DEFRTG (last 10 games, minimum 15 minutes per game): 102.7, 6th on the Lakers

OFFRTG (last 10 games, minimum 15 minutes per game): 104.1 6th on the Lakers

MOET: 8

I know. I know. This ranking is too high for Chandler. After racking my brain for three days (give-or-take two days, 23 hours, and 45 minutes) I put the Lakers’ best backup center (Maybe) at No. 3 out of default.

Could I really put Lonzo at No. 3? He’s a great player, but half the time he lays an egg on offense.

Could I put Ingram here? No way. He still won’t pass the ball consistently, every game.

Josh Hart? He’s only hitting 37% of his field goals over the last 10 games.

Chandler gets the nod because he plays well in every game, and that means something. Every time Tyson steps on the floor he plays with energy, he plays great positional D, and he sets huge screens.

Side Story: I hated Chandler with a passion when he played for the Dallas Mavericks. It seemed like every time he stepped on the court, he’d lean into his screens just a little too much, or he’d hang on the rim after a dunk a little too long, or he’d foul a player driving down the lane just a little too hard.

I thought he was a dirty player, but now that Chandler’s on the Lakers he’s one of my favorite players. He’s a competitor who plays hard, which I respect.