Dereck Lively II eerily similar to Tyson Chandler

If Tyson Chandler was scouring the earth in search of a younger version of himself, he may have found him in Dereck Lively II. The similarities between the two towering giants are remarkable.

Chandler, who played in the NBA from 2001-20, stands 7-foot tall and weighs 235 pounds. Lively, a promising 19-year old rookie with the Mavericks, is 7-1 and weighs 234 pounds.

Not only is the stark resemblance in stature noteworthy, but Chandler’s livelihood during his playing days centered on blocking shots, rebounding, protecting the rim and establishing a rugged defensive mindset. That’s the same blueprint being afforded Lively.

“Every player is a little different, but you’re going to find similarities,” Chandler told Mavs.com in sizing up Lively. “I just think his attributes are his size and his athletic abilities, and I believe he can change the game on both ends – defensively and offensively.

“Those are some of the things that remind me of myself.”

Chandler was the linchpin who established the defensive culture when the Mavs captured the 2011 NBA title in six games over a star-studded Miami Heat team that included LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. That season Chandler averaged 10.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while shooting a staggering 65.4 percent from the field.

Those are numbers that Chandler believes his doppelganger – Lively – can produce once he gets his sea legs under him and figures out the NBA game.

“I think he’s capable of everything that we’re going to be asking him to do,” Chandler said. “The biggest thing is coaching him up to help him understand what he’s seeing out there, and the flow of the game.

“He’s going to have his lumps. He’s a rookie. He’s young. He’s going to have to learn. He’s going to see players for the first time every time until he gets a second and third time to play against them. So, all of that stuff I’m not worried about. That’s going to come along.”

And Chandler will be there almost every step of the way making sure Lively is on the proverbial right track.

“Defensively, I’m going to get him right where he needs to be, and show him what he’s seeing,” Chandler said. “The body, and all that stuff is going to have to come along.

“He’s young, but absolutely the instincts are there. It’s our job as coaches to coach him up and help him understand what he’s seeing out there.”

The Mavs’ first day of training camp was Wednesday, and Lively didn’t disappoint.

“His first day was great,” Chandler said. “He’s picking up things very fast. I thought he did a great job of getting in and out of his pick-and-rolls, and with his presence defensively. He’s communicating great for a young guy out there.

“I love the way he was moving. I thought playing with (guards) Luka (Doncic) and Kyrie (Irving) — literally the first action being with both of them — I thought that was great. I thought he adapted fairly quickly to how they wanted him in the pick-and-rolls, what they wanted, what they’re trying to get out there. I like his confidence in communicating with them out there. That’s big for a young guy.”

A young guy who hopes to mirror what Chandler accomplished during a sparkling 19-year career which included him being named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 and an All-Star in 2013 when he was playing for the New York Knicks.

“In general, I think he has everything that he needs,” Chandler said. “I don’t have a ceiling. He has all the potential, but (forget about) potential.

“The sky’s the limit, because he has a great work ethic and a great mindset. As long as that’s the mindset every day – coming in here and getting better — who knows? I think he’s going to be great for this team.”

As far as Lively reminding Chandler of himself, coach Jason Kidd said: “I would never disagree with Tyson. I think Tyson’s right. Tyson has put in a lot of work here early with D-Live, and D-Live has responded in a positive way. If that’s the case, then we’re going in the right direction, because Tyson was one of the best at his position.

“I think the mentorship through the coaching that D-Live is getting is pretty special. When you talk about Tyson and his energy and his ability to communicate (he has) put D-Live in a positive situation to help him understand what’s coming, and D-Live has responded in a positive way.”

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, Chandler recalls the moment when he joined the Mavs. At the time, Chandler already had eight years – with Chicago, New Orleans and Charlotte – under his belt and was thirsty to win an NBA title.

“When I came here I was at a different place in my career,” Chandler said. “The great thing is for (Lively) is that I’m here. If he’s going to be getting that wisdom early, he doesn’t have to go through all that.”

Kidd said Lively — the 12^th overall pick out of Duke this past June – will get an honest chance to compete for the starting center spot this season, and that he’ll be looking for him to become one of the leaders for the Mavs. Likewise, Chandler believes Lively has some leadership skills and should invariably become an important rotation player this season.

“As I’m seeing him and the steps that he’s made, he’s come a long way from summer league preseason and training camp to now – the real season, preseason and training camp,” Chandler said. “He’s made a big jump.

“If he continues with this consistency, yeah, I for sure can see him playing minutes early. I said that even in the summer, just because of his shot-blocking ability and his ability to play out of the pick-and-roll and above the rim. The more he sees, the more he’s going to be ready for situations in games.”

X: @DwainPrice