If there is one thing that Isiah Thomas was good at it was drafting NBA ready players. Many Knicks fans were in doubt about the selection of Wilson Chandler with the 23rd pick in the draft. Thomas thought very highly of Chandler and it seemed that he was the only one who believed in his abilities. Chandler came out of Temple University. He wasn't highly scouted and many people never heard of him before the NBA draft. The 6'7 small forward was coming into a Big City and was the Knicks first pick in the draft. Chandler also had a lot of pressure on his shoulders.
How would Chandler fair out?
In Chandler's first year as a NBA player he didn't received a lot of playing time. Also Chandler did experience a lot of winning, the team went 23-59 in Chandler's first year. Wilson Chandler would go numerous games on the inactive list, and if he wasn't on inactive list then he was left sitting on the bench all game. His confidence was shot and also affected him when he got into the game.
Lights, Camera, Action and Chandler was not ready when that happen. The media also affective Chandler. New York's media is like no other around the globe. Nothing compares to the type of pressure players face when they come to the New York Knicks. Only a real player with thick skin can survive, and that was Chandler's problem in the beginning of his career. He wanted to please everyone and as and NBA player you cant do that. You just have to forget about everything and just play the game of basketball.
Mid season of Chandler's rookie year he was lost and people begin to give up on him. Even when he got on the court, he was tentative and was thinking instead of reacting to every play. However Isiah Thomas didn't give up on him and said that he is still in the Knicks plans.
Now the Knicks were out of playoff hunt and multiple games under .500. Thomas Began to play all of the younger players and this was Chandler's chance to show what he has on a consistent bases with about 25 games. Chandler averaged about 15 points the rest of the way and opened people eyes with his athleticism and his ability to defend on the perimeter.
Wilson worked on his game in the summer and got even better. In the Las Vegas Summer League Chandler was even better. he was much faster, quicker and his awareness of the game improved. Chandler averaged 20 points in the summer.
With the hiring of Mike Dantoni it was almost a given that Chandler would take his game to the next level because of the open offense that Dantoni runs.
Dantoni compared Chandler to Shawn Marion which said a lot about his improvement in his game
In his sophomore season Chandler went to the Rookies vs Sophomores game. He averaged 15 points the whole season and earned himself a starting spot in the lineup.
Chandler in a blink of an eye became one of the Knicks best players and his confidence soared to the roof and so did his overall game.
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