Summer Q&A: Wilson Chandler
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Now a veteran on the squad, Wilson Chandler foresees big things for the 2010-11 Knicks.
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Over the course of the summer, nyknicks.com will sit down with members of the team, coaching staff, front office and others to discuss the eagerly anticipated 2010-11 campaign.
We recently caught up with Wilson Chandler to get his thoughts about the upcoming season for the new look Knicks.
NYKnicks.com: So tell everyone what you have been up to over the summer.
Wilson Chandler: I’ve just been in and out of the gym mainly, you know? I’m working out as much as I can, and I went home to Michigan a couple times to rest and clear my head, but for the most part, I am working out, getting in shape and getting ready for the season.
NYKnicks.com: Last year you missed the last few weeks of the season with an injury. How has the recovery for that gone?
Chandler: Oh man, it’s been a long offseason. I had three surgeries, so they recovery time is long. But I feel good now. I went out to Las Vegas when the team was at Summer League and got some good workouts there. Then I came back and kept exercising and getting stronger. And over time I got better every day and I feel good now. I feel strong.
NYKnicks.com: Your first three seasons here didn’t go as planned. Now you have a whole new team. How excited are you?
Chandler: Oh I am very excited! I’ve waited for this for a few years and the fans have waited for it for a few years, and it is finally here. Amar’e (Stoudemire) is a great addition. We got some good guys that we drafted in Landry (Fields) and (Andy) Rautins and a lot of other real talented guys like Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf, Raymond Felton and a few other guys. I’m excited. I am ready to go.
NYKnicks.com: How do you see yourself fitting in with Amar’e?
Chandler: I think it will be easy for me. I am a team player, so you know I am going to accept the role his presence creates for me. He is just such a talented and really an elite player.
NYKnicks.com: How about Anthony Randolph?
Chandler: He is great. He can get out on that break and is a great finisher. He’s also a great rebounder and a great defender. He is definitely going to be a big asset.
NYKnicks.com: After Eddy (Curry), you are the second longest tenured player on the team…
Chandler: Yeah I know! That’s crazy, right?! (laughs)I’m 23 and I’m a vet! (laughs)
NYKnicks.com: Does that mean you see yourself as more of a leader now?
Chandler: Yea, I think that comes with the territory. We will see how the season goes and what is needed of me. I don’t want to be too pushy or anything, but I will do what is needed as the season goes along.
NYKnicks.com: Is there a certain part of your game you are working for this year?
Chandler: Everything. It is important to always work on everything – from shooting to ball handling to leadership and everything else.
NYKnicks.com: How great is it to call Madison Square Garden your home?
Chandler: It’s the best. When you score a basket or make a big play here, it is like no other court in the league.
NYKnicks.com: What is your own personal goal for this season?
Chandler: Win. That’s it. Win.
NYKnicks.com: Between now and the start of the season, what are you planning to do?
Chandler: Just stay in the gym and keep working out. I am going to be in there every day working out with the guys who are here also.
NYKnicks.com: What is the atmosphere like around up there?
Chandler: We are all excited about what the future holds. We know the talent level this team has and what we can accomplish so we are excited to see it come together.
NYKnicks.com: Are you excited about heading to Europe for the preseason games?
Chandler: Oh yeah! I have never been out of the country asides from going to Toronto really. I’ve never been to France or Italy so it is going to be a great experience. We’ve got two guys who are from both countries. Gallo (Danilo Gallinari) is from Italy and Turiaf from France so I am definitely looking forward to those guys showing me the culture.
NYKnicks.com: And finally, if you have one thing to tell the fans, what do you want to tell them?
Chandler: Just come out and support us. We are going to play our hardest for you to get you the W’s. You’ve stuck with us the last few years and now it’s time for the reward.
We recently caught up with Wilson Chandler to get his thoughts about the upcoming season for the new look Knicks.
NYKnicks.com: So tell everyone what you have been up to over the summer.
Wilson Chandler: I’ve just been in and out of the gym mainly, you know? I’m working out as much as I can, and I went home to Michigan a couple times to rest and clear my head, but for the most part, I am working out, getting in shape and getting ready for the season.
NYKnicks.com: Last year you missed the last few weeks of the season with an injury. How has the recovery for that gone?
Chandler: Oh man, it’s been a long offseason. I had three surgeries, so they recovery time is long. But I feel good now. I went out to Las Vegas when the team was at Summer League and got some good workouts there. Then I came back and kept exercising and getting stronger. And over time I got better every day and I feel good now. I feel strong.
NYKnicks.com: Your first three seasons here didn’t go as planned. Now you have a whole new team. How excited are you?
Chandler: Oh I am very excited! I’ve waited for this for a few years and the fans have waited for it for a few years, and it is finally here. Amar’e (Stoudemire) is a great addition. We got some good guys that we drafted in Landry (Fields) and (Andy) Rautins and a lot of other real talented guys like Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf, Raymond Felton and a few other guys. I’m excited. I am ready to go.
NYKnicks.com: How do you see yourself fitting in with Amar’e?
Chandler: I think it will be easy for me. I am a team player, so you know I am going to accept the role his presence creates for me. He is just such a talented and really an elite player.
NYKnicks.com: How about Anthony Randolph?
Chandler: He is great. He can get out on that break and is a great finisher. He’s also a great rebounder and a great defender. He is definitely going to be a big asset.
NYKnicks.com: After Eddy (Curry), you are the second longest tenured player on the team…
Chandler: Yeah I know! That’s crazy, right?! (laughs)I’m 23 and I’m a vet! (laughs)
NYKnicks.com: Does that mean you see yourself as more of a leader now?
Chandler: Yea, I think that comes with the territory. We will see how the season goes and what is needed of me. I don’t want to be too pushy or anything, but I will do what is needed as the season goes along.
NYKnicks.com: Is there a certain part of your game you are working for this year?
Chandler: Everything. It is important to always work on everything – from shooting to ball handling to leadership and everything else.
NYKnicks.com: How great is it to call Madison Square Garden your home?
Chandler: It’s the best. When you score a basket or make a big play here, it is like no other court in the league.
NYKnicks.com: What is your own personal goal for this season?
Chandler: Win. That’s it. Win.
NYKnicks.com: Between now and the start of the season, what are you planning to do?
Chandler: Just stay in the gym and keep working out. I am going to be in there every day working out with the guys who are here also.
NYKnicks.com: What is the atmosphere like around up there?
Chandler: We are all excited about what the future holds. We know the talent level this team has and what we can accomplish so we are excited to see it come together.
NYKnicks.com: Are you excited about heading to Europe for the preseason games?
Chandler: Oh yeah! I have never been out of the country asides from going to Toronto really. I’ve never been to France or Italy so it is going to be a great experience. We’ve got two guys who are from both countries. Gallo (Danilo Gallinari) is from Italy and Turiaf from France so I am definitely looking forward to those guys showing me the culture.
NYKnicks.com: And finally, if you have one thing to tell the fans, what do you want to tell them?
Chandler: Just come out and support us. We are going to play our hardest for you to get you the W’s. You’ve stuck with us the last few years and now it’s time for the reward.
