Did Wilson Chandler Tank It In The Playoffs??
by ACEIII on May 13, 2011 9:24 PM MDT
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PrintSomething has been bugging me since the disappointing playoff series with The Thunder. As I watched Chandler play in the playoffs something just seemed off about him mentally and physically. The guy just was not there, and I don't think we can blame his off-performance against OKC purely on first-time playoff jitters. 27% Field Goal shooting?? 14% shooting from 3-point range? .4 Assists per game? Durant had huge games so I don't think you can say he made a big difference on defense either. Plus, Chandler seemed .. how should I put this...somewhere else through most of the series?? I don't know how else to put it. He just was not into the first play-off series of his career. I decided to keep an eye Il Will before and during several of the the games I attended in person, and he spent a lot of time before games and during timeouts joking with his old buddy Nate Robinson. During games, he sat with a blank stare on his face. Rather than pass, move, and take the ball to the rim, Chandler spent most of the series hoisting ill-advised shots. And he seemed disenchanted when taken out of games To support my suspicions even further, after a lousy performance against OKC, stories IMMEDIATELY start appearing the NY media that Chandler would welcome a return to the Knicks. That he was never entirely comfortable in Denver.
If I were a conspiracy theorist, I would say all of this was a ploy by Chandler and his team to convince the Denver FO that matching a decent contract offer from another team, particularly if that team is the Knicks, would be a mistake. I like Chandler's physical tools, and he could be a Scottie Pippen like force on defense if he asserted himself, but there are clues that all is not well in Chandler-ville.
All of this said, I think the Nuggs have to match any reasonable offer to Chandler, to either make him a key piece in Denver's rotation for years to come, or use him as an asset to trade later. He is young and has talent. But, I have to admit to being worried about his head.
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i'd say it's unlikely
he definitely appeared disinterested, but that seems to be how he always looks.
he is inexperienced
Perhaps he was intimidated?
He probably ISN’T entirely comfortable in Denver. But tanking just earns him less money in the future, and I get the feeling Chandler likes money.
by InboundingLobPass on May 14, 2011 12:01 AM MDT via mobile reply actions
well
it makes no sense, why would he tank and start sucking even if he didnt want to play for the nuggets? That takes his trade value lower and front offices will hesitate to give him a big contract. I think a lot of players can’t handle the playoffs in their first go around, some can neever get over their playoff jitters.
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by CloudBurst on May 14, 2011 4:04 AM MDT via mobile reply actions
he costed himself a lot of money this playoffs
i doubt he did that on purpose.
let's go nuggets! who u wit?
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Don’t see him tanking either. My take is that he expanded so much energy on defense that it took him out of his rythem on offense. It would serve him no purpose to not show up in the playoffs there. The ankle issue he had definatly seemed to reduce his effectiveness in a lot of the games near the end of the season as well.
He flat out sucked this playoff...
Maybe it was his chronic ankle problem (Cost him some money there), but he lack of apparently energy probably did cost him some more money…
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Chandler is a bit of a stoic
not an emotional leader at all. But he normally plays with quiet intensity that was often lacking in these playoffs. I’m sure the ankle bothered him, maybe more than a guy like him would show.
Let’s see if he needs surgery again this offseason, and let’s see what other teams are offering. He’s certainly not due for mega-money, since a) he’s damaged goods or b) he’s got motivation issues.
I understand poor play if he was injured, but...
He did get rest toward the end of the season, and was more hit attitude during the playoffs that bothered me. Even if your hurt, you can at least give it your all and support your teammates. Like I said, I am not ready to write-off Chandler. Let.s call this a red flag though. I hope he accepts a one year qualifying offer so that we can see what we have in Il Will next season, without making a huge, long-term commitment.
I've seen Chandler play for the Knicks, a lot
and he just never talks. I mean never, ever. I barely know what he sounds like.
He rarely talks to anyone during games.
I think that Will is very very shy.
But I have to say that I really like Will and root hard for him and I think that his game is very unique. His offense really improved last year esp outside shot.
He has marvelous physical gifts that make him a challenge to score on for other physically gifted players like James, Wade and we saw how well he stuck to Kobe. But he’s not good against Durant and Dirk. Gallo is better suited against those types.
Unfortunately, I do wonder if his desire to be in NY trumps everything else. I hope not because Nugs could really use him.
I hope the homerism is not the case.
I’m so fucking sick of these athletes thinking they can pick and choose the team and city that pays them to bounce a ball and put it in the hoop.
I was a very gifted young athlete that chose to follow my heart and pursue my art rather than my “gift”. I caught all sorts of shit and flak for it, but Jay gots to do what’s right for Jay’s family. Ok, I have no family that depends on me, but whatevs.
In 2000, I moved to LA to play mugic (magical music, or, musical magic) and forgot all about hoops… Until the 2004 Detroit Pistons slapped me bitch-ass silly and revived my sense of pride and wonderment in what’s possible when a team buys all-in to team. Led by my black twin, Chauncey Billups, these dawg-nasty blue-collar, no-star bad-asses housed the dream-team ultra-uber-hyphenated-ego-lo-megalomaniacal-led-by-fat-ass-you-into-the-lane Shaqtastic punk motherfuckers otherwise known as the Los Angeles Lick-whores. It was a time we will tell our children and grandchildren about, a time when all was right in the world. A time when yours truly was at peace.
It’s funny that my favorite players were the no-natural-talent hard workers, because I was nothing like that. I was the Carmelo “no-pass” Anthony of every team I played on, And I relished it. I have a special deep loathing for these “stars” because I know what kind of asshole it takes to be like that. I ALWAYS hated Michael Jordan, though I respect him enough to capitalize his name.
Now why the hell was I like him as a player (In attitude only, of course)? Why did I think I was the answer to all of the teams problems? Haha, funny thing is, we made the post-season every year, but never passed the second round. Every year a team with a balanced attack and no asshole like me beat us, and every year I blamed everyone but me. Even my prescient parents warned me of what was to come, seeing my selfishness and irresponsibility. It wasn’t until I got the notion of team at 12 until we won the state championships. I passed my ass off and talked to my team like a coach. I truly saw in every one of them a skill or attribute we needed. I scored 11 points in that game and had 17 assists. I will always believe that teamwork wins championships. I know defense is the key, but you don’t play proper defense without the desire to handle your shit and protect your boy. That’s the essence of teamwork.
These new Nuggets have this opportunity. I have faith that all is right in the world of the Nuggets now that Meeeee-lo is gone. Something good is coming, I know it. Just want to say I am proud to be STIFF. Thank you.
"All you fuckers who think we won't be good anymore, fuck you" - GK
by love4nuggets on May 16, 2011 1:14 AM MDT up reply actions
strong silent type
in the mold of rodney rogers and tim duncan.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
the smart thing is just to be smart- chauncey billups
we're on a mission from god
No Hate for Il Will
He may just be a quiet dude, but I would like to see him leave it all on the floor, becomes a steal/assist/block guy, and lay off the hoisting from outside. Really root for a one-year deal for Denver and Chandler to figure out if there is a long-term fit here .
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