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| TYSON CHANDLER |
Chandler suffered a right leg fracture — officially “a small non-displaced fracture of the right fibula,” according to the team — and is expected to be lost for 4-6 weeks. For a team already struggling defensively, the absence of its best interior defender could have crippling repercussions, even in the short haul.
“He’s our anchor down there on the defensive end, so we miss him big-time,” Carmelo Anthony said.
Chandler was injured at the 5:25 mark of the first quarter Tuesday when he collided with Charlotte guard Kemba Walker during the Knicks’ disheartening, defense-optional 102-97 defeat. There was no immediate diagnosis after X-rays were inconclusive, but the Knicks presented the verdict following additional exams Wednesday.
The tests Wednesday morning “showed no ligament or nerve damage,” the team said. “Surgery is not required.”
Coach Mike Woodson acknowledged he will need to re-think his platoon system involving Amar’e Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin. Stoudemire looked painfully rusty in his 11-minute cameo Tuesday when he committed five turnovers.
“I got a lot to think about right now with Tyson being out and Kenyon and Amar’e on restricted minutes,” Woodson said.
For the immediate future, the Knicks could give more minutes to 6-foot-11 center Cole Aldrich, who has averaged 2.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in limited time over three pro seasons. Andrea Bargnani at center is an option, at least on the offensive end. The Knicks could re-sign 6-foot-10 forward/center Jeremy Tyler once he gets healthy. Tyler, who was cut at the end of training camp, has a foot injury and currently is in the D-League.
So go ahead. Grab any good news you can find swirling around Chandler, the former Defensive Player of the Year.
“We’ve got guys who’ve played in this league that’s ready to do what they have to do to do the job,” said Martin, who was supposed to have Tuesday off under the platoon system but ended up playing 18 minutes in Chandler’s absence. “I’m ready.”
Martin compared the current crisis to last season, when he gave good, physical minutes when Chandler battled a neck injury down the stretch. Anthony echoed that recollection.
“Kenyon, he stepped up big-time,” Anthony said. “We’re going to rely on him a lot more. Guys are going to have to step up in place of Tyson. … We’ve got to come together and do it as a team.”
Of course, it would be downright swell if one of those stepping up was a legit center, especially for a team that surrendered 64 points in the first half in consecutive losses to Minnesota and Charlotte.
“Without having Tyson, it’s going to be not the same from a defensive standpoint [at] the center position,” Stoudemire said.
Coaches, Stoudemire said, have labeled these early games “training camp” for him as he seeks a return from offseason knee surgery, his third procedure in 10 months. He is confident he will regain his form, but in two games, he has struggled mightily.
“It’s almost impossible to do more,” Stoudemire said. “You only have 10 minutes. And you have five-minute spurts. The first few minutes is just getting into a rhythm and getting into the feel, the speed of the game. But I’m sure as the season goes on and as I become more comfortable … more efficient.”
Given Stoudemire’s current status and the lack of another true center on the roster, Chandler’s loss is particularly rough. Chandler was averaging 9.0 points and a team-high 11.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks. He has played with renewed vigor and production after his injury-plagued playoff wipeout against Indiana and Roy Hibbert last season.
“He’s a big piece to what we do. He was really playing well,” Woodson said. “He’s got his energy and strength back this year.”
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