He was picked 23rd by Isiah Thomas as a defensive stopper. He is low key and does not shout or argue with other players or the refs. His name is Wilson Chandler. Last season Chandler looked like he was a Knicks player that was on the rise of showing true value. He took the intensity that he had on the defensive end of the court and brought it to the offensive side of the court. Now we are seeing a player that can score against some of the best players in the league.
The beginning of this season was a rough start for Wilson Chandler. He was shooting poorly and causing turnovers. His lack of production was due to not playing this summer as he recovered from major surgery. Now at this stage in the season he looks like he is getting better and better. What I have noticed about Wilson is his midrange game might be as good as anyone in the league. Whether he’s doing his stop and pop jump shot on the baseline or -the foul line area, Chandler’s shot is (as they say in the gym) “all net baby.” It seems like at times he can’t miss from 10-15 feet. This season you are witnessing him making sure he is one of the first players down the court finishing on the break.
Now we all know that Chandler can drive to the hole. The problem is in the past Chandler would just put his head down and drive to the rim and sometimes get called for charging or just making a bad play. Now when Chandler is in situations like this, he now is pulling up before the help defender comes. No longer is he trying to force the issue or shots. He is letting the game come to him. Chandler before this season was shooting 43% and now this season he is shooting 45% from the field every night or better.
I still wish he would drive left more often but it looks like Chandler’s opponents are having a hard time as it is stopping him from going right. Now when players play him too close trying to anticipate Chandler driving he is making adjustments. I have noticed him spinning to his left or spinning back right. Adjusting to the opponent’s defensive schemes is something that Wilson Chandler would never have dared to do last season.
Wilson Chandler is also shooting less 3 point shots. This is huge in Wilson’s game. Not every player has to shoot a 3 point shot just because the defense is giving them the open 3. Just because you are open does not mean you have to take it. If you look at Richard Hamilton and even guard Toney Parker you will notice they are some of the best with shooting the midrange shots. Toney Parker and Rip Hamilton rarely shoot 3 point shots. If Chandler could model his midrange game after Rip Hamilton he will be fine. Chandler in the post is also giving teams headaches. Especially when Chandler has a shorter opponent guarding him in the post off a switch. To be honest it might be time for Wilson Chandler to get more shot attempts. For a guy that shoots 45% from the field he has the skills to drop 18-20 every night. The problem is he does not get enough shot attempts as his colleagues.
Wilson Chandler brings defensive intensity. Besides Jared Jeffries, Chandler is the next best defensive player on this Knicks’ team. He has the ability to guard all the positions on the court except for the center position. His good foot work, athletic ability, and strength are the key to his excellent defense. If you are still sleeping on Chandler’s defense just ask Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett and Joe Johnson about the player they’ve come to know as “Ill Will”.
Right now Knicks fans are witnessing a player developing right before our eyes. Who said the Knicks don’t have any home grown talented?
New Chandler Mix 3
|
