Paul Expected To Improve Okafor's Offense

Hornets general manager Jeff Bower expects Emeka Okafor to be better offensively alongside point guard Chris Paul.

Okafor has averaged a double-double in each of his first five NBA seasons, and Bower expects the center's low-post skills to attract attention from opposing defenses.

New Orleans acquired Okafor from Charlotte on Tuesday in exchange for Tyson Chandler.

"This has been a bit of a slow-moving process. We have been in discussions with (the Bobcats) for a while. We've been in a lot of discussions with various teams and remain in them. This is a step forward for us. It gives us another element to our front line," Bower told the Times-Picayune.

New Orleans also expects their defense to improve with Okafor, and that the former Connecticut star will be able to help Chris Paul start the fast break with his rebounding and passing.

Via Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Charlotte Bobcats

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Chandler Says He Feels Great Physically

Tyson Chandler, who was traded to the Bobcats earlier this week, says that he feels great physically.

"I feel a lot better than I did on the court last year," the center told the Charlotte Observer. "At the end of the (season), my ankle was hurting pretty bad. So I went in for an operation and we decided we might as well clean everything up. For the first time in a couple of years, I've got good movement in my toe."

Bobcats coach Larry Brown says that Chandler possesses the skill set the team is looking for in a center.

"We want a center who's out on the break, rebounding the ball and bringing it up with a couple of dribbles. Tyson has those skills," Brown said.

Via Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Hornets

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Hornets Get Okafor For Chandler

Emeka Okafor was dealt to the Hornets for Tyson Chandler on Tuesday.

"We looked at this trade as an opportunity to improve our team," Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins said. "Tyson brings that unique level of athleticism in a 7-footer that puts us in a position to compete night in and night out with the other quality centers in the league."

Via SI.com

New Orleans Hornets, Charlotte Bobcats

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