Picture Credit: FOX Sports

The Rebirth Of Wilson Chandler

Ever since he joined the Denver Nuggets in 2012, Wilson Chandler has battled injuries almost every season and had a hard time finding his niche with the team. After his entire 2015-16 season was erased due to a labral tear in his left hip, Chandler is back.

It takes months for players who came off season-long injuries to get a rhythm going and fit into a team’s system. Not for Chandler, though. The ten-year veteran is averaging 18.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game for the 7-10 Denver Nuggets off the bench in 2016-17. His shooting numbers have been above-average for his career, knocking down 47.1% of his shots and 33.9% from three-point range. What’s most impressive from Chandler is the instant energy and will to score the ball the second he comes off the bench. When the ball is in his hands, he makes plays and gets the team involved.

If it weren’t for Jameer Nelson, Chandler would not be playing this well to start the season. Nelson, a fellow veteran, has bonded great chemistry with Chandler. In Sunday’s 120-114 win over Phoenix, Chandler (25) and Nelson (21) both racked up 20-points a piece proving the two are still valuable pieces when needed.

At 29-years-old, Chandler may have found that being relied on as a spark off the bench may be his best fit. In seventeen games, his 18.3 points per game are 1.9 above his previous career-high in New York during the 2010-11 season. With key guys injured though, Chandler’s minutes may decline as the season goes on. He is currently playing 30.8 minutes per game and balling in every minute of them.

Whether or not he will win the Sixth Man of the Year Award is up for debate, but the resurgence of Wilson Chandler as an extremely valuable piece is great for the Denver Nuggets. If his health remains as is, and the fire in his eye is still lit at season end, expect him to be a top contender for the award.