"I started laughing," Horry said.

The forward who earned the moniker "Big Shot Rob" has been there. Horry was traded from Houston to Detroit early in his NBA career, only to have the deal rescinded, sending him back to the team that didn't want him.

The intent was different. The Rockets struck a deal they hoped would make them better. The Hornets simply wanted to get out from under Chandler's contract.

It doesn't matter. The emotional backlash is the same.

"Reality sets in that it's a business," Horry said. "Even though you may think people in management are your friends, they're really not. It's their job to try to make the team better.

"You can't take it personally. As long as the team respects you and welcomes you back with open arms, as long as the coaching staff wants you, forget about it and move on."

The Rockets traded Horry and Matt Bullard to the Pistons for Sean Elliott in February 1994. The two were in uniform, ready to make their Pistons debut, when a Detroit employee stopped them in the tunnel before they could reach the court.

The deal wasn't final because the Rockets were still awaiting the results of Elliott's physical. Both players removed their uniforms, and Horry watched the game from the stands.

Elliott failed his physical the next day because of a kidney condition. Horry and Bullard jumped into their rental car, raced to the airport and caught the last flight to Houston.

"I remember Bullard said, 'I'm going to tell them I want this, this and this,'" Horry said of the flight back. "I said, 'Dude, you were just thrown in to make the money work. You can't go back and demand anything.'

"I came back humble."

Horry spent 16 seasons in the league. He will tell you the trade that wasn't made him a better, more assertive player.

What would he tell Chandler?

"The thing he's got to realize is the person who said he would miss Tyson the most is Chris Paul," Horry said. "He is the mayor of that team. He's the most important person there.

"As long as you are trade bait, that means you're wanted. When you are no longer trade bait, that means you're on your way out the door."

Horry still works out near his home in Houston with Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young and other football players in the area. He hasn't ruled out a return this season, though he called it unlikely.

Oh yeah, one other thing. Horry and Bullard returned to a Houston team in '94 that went on to win the NBA title.

"This might be the thing they needed," Horry said of the Hornets. "A wakeup call.

"Every time I look at the standings, I ask, 'Why the hell aren't they winning?'"

It's doubtful the Hornets will win the title.

But at least now no one has to ask why they traded Chandler.

Court of Opinion

You've got to hand it to Phoenix. Those folks know how to throw an All-Star party. The Suns? The jury is still out.

Amare Stoudemire

Endures endless trade speculation, comes back to score 42 points against the LA Clippers, then lost for the season with a detached retina. Not a good month for the Suns forward.

Jason Richardson

Suns guard isn't the first player to go 90 in a 35-mph zone, but let's hope he's the first - and last - to do so with his 3-year-old son in the back without a child seat.

Tracy McGrady

Anyone who has watched the Houston star knows he's not right. He needs surgery. Still, it would have been nice to let the team know before you post it on your Web site.

Larry Miller

Owner of the Utah Jazz died Friday at his home. He never fit the corporate mold, but he loved his team, kept it competitive and gave back to the community. He will be missed.