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**USSKittyHawk** · 10-20-2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

While rookie Demetris Nichols' failing battle for a Knicks roster spot has captured some fans' fancies, first-round pick Wilson Chandler has flown under the radar.

No longer. Shockingly, Chandler has emerged as an unlikely candidate for a spot in the rotation on opening night in Cleveland in less than two weeks, according to team officials.

Chandler's rise in status is partly due to Renaldo Balkman's injury and that Jared Jeffries and Mardy Collins have had nondescript preseasons.

Chandler, a 6-foot-9 forward out of DePaul, figured to watch and learn this season, but he's challenging out Jeffries.

Isiah Thomas, with his mind locked on Chandler a month before the draft, talked about someone who wouldn't be ready for playing time for a year or two.

In the Knicks' exhibition loss to the Nets, Chandler got serious run (29 minutes) as Thomas wanted to take a closer look. Chandler, athletic and defense-oriented but with a streaky offensive game, did not disappoint. He had eight points (2 of 3 from the 3-point line) and collected seven rebounds, two assists and three steals.

"With Chandler out there, I wanted to see how he plays against [Richard] Jefferson and [Vince] Carter just to see where he really is as a defender and a player," Thomas said. "I'm pleasantly surprised."

Thomas is trying to add more defensive structure to the club and has pointed out Chandler's shot-blocking ability. In their past two exhibition losses, including the 101-61 disgrace in Boston, the Knicks allowed 211 points.

Thomas is wracking his brain trying to come up with a nine-man rotation for Nov. 2 against the Cavaliers.

Balkman, who has missed preseason with a stress reaction in his ankle, will be re-evaluated Monday and may not be given the green light. That could leave the Knicks looking for a backup forward to go along with David Lee.

The starting lineup appears set with Crawford, Stephon Marbury, Quentin Richardson, Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph. The next four is the dilemma; Thomas won't use a traditional backup center, with Jerome James possibly out for the season. Sixth Man of the Year candidate Lee, backup shooting guard Fred Jones, and Nate Robinson, who's had a very strong camp, beating out Collins, appear locks. With Balkman out, the ninth slot is up for grabs.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10202007..._on_knicks.htm

**Da Grinch** · 10-20-2007, 07:17 PM

a nine man rotation is probably the best news i've heard all camp.

**Gotham2krazy** · 10-20-2007, 10:58 PM

Where in the world did Collins dissappear off the face of the earth to? Damn Mardy! thought clyde was supposed to be teaching him some new tricks dammit!

KVIP112 · 10-21-2007, 01:08 AM

Marbury/Nate
Crawford/Jones
Richardson/Balkman-Chandler (until Balkman's back)
Randolph/Lee
Curry

Kiyaman · 10-22-2007, 01:52 PM

The way Isiah Thomas Coached & substituded players so far in the Preseason games should have every Knick Fan wondering if this is what we will see in the regular season.
Isiah Starting-5 is not only getting off to a slow start in every Preseason game which has been one of the Biggest Problems for this Knick team for the last FOUR seasons, but Isiah Thomas 5-Starters still dont co-exist as a unit.
This is why Isiah Thomas can not give 20 MPG to Rookie Morris, Chandler, Nicholes, Jordan, and second season Collins in the Preseason games. Because his STARTERS play like BUMS together on both ends of the court and they need all of the Preseason playingtime...

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