Image by Getty Images via @daylifeQuick trivia question: Amongst the 2007 NBA draft class, name the three players with the highest career scoring averages though their first three seasons in the league. I'll give you the top two – Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. Third on that list is Wilson Chandler. No surprise if Chandler's name wasn't on the tip of anyone's tongue.
Over his first three seasons in the Association, Chandler flew mostly under the radar. Even on his own team Chandler seems to sometimes get overlooked, or lost in the shuffle. In the incessant Carmelo Antony trade rumors, Wilson's name is often bandied about as one of the pieces that could be headed to Denver. Ditto for the reports that had Chandler getting shipped out of town as part of a deal to acquire Rudy Fernandez from Portland.
As if that wasn't enough drama to deal with, Coach Mike D'Antoni announced on the eve of the regular season that Chandler would be bumped to the bench in favor of newly-named starting shooting guard Landry Fields, an unheralded second-round pick out of Stanford. Oh, and add in the fact that Wilson is attempting to work his way back to 100% health after undergoing offseason ankle surgery and a sports hernia operation.
Yes, it has been an eventful few months for Chandler. Dealing with this type of turmoil and instability would have pushed some players to the brink. Many would have sulked or pouted or bemoaned the unfortunate turn of events. We have certainly seen it happen before here in New York. At the least plenty of players might have easily gotten rattled and let it negatively effect their game. But Wilson Chandler is not most players. He is known for a unique, laid-back temperament, and it has served him awfully well this year.
Through the Knicks first two games of the 2010-2011 season, Wilson was averaging 20.5 points (on 50% shooting), 7 rebounds and 3 blocks. Just as important and impressive has been his stellar defense. During the second half on opening night, Chandler was asked to slow down the Raptors top gun, Andrea Bargnani, who went off for 18 points in the first two quarters. Chandler did just that, as Bargnani was held to just four points in the second half.
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