We’ve been so caught up in the Nuggets‘ playoff chase that we’ve totally overlooked the fact that Wilson Chandler is DONE for the season … and that includes the playoffs. What does this mean for the Nuggets post-season chances?
After appearing in just 8 games, the newly re-signed Wilson Chandler is done for the season thanks to a bad hip that will require surgery. Chandler joins Rudy Fernandez on the not-going-to-play-again-this-season list, taking away one of the Nuggets few advantages come playoff time: depth.
As a rangy 6’8″ player, Chandler can defend twos, threes and fours and his ability to play inside and out stretches the opposing defense as well. And one has to wonder whether or not Danilo Gallinari, Al Harrington and Arron Afflalo would be logging as many minutes – and/or would have been injured as each has at some point – had Chandler been on board all season long to spare them.
Likely to play the Thunder or the Spurs in the playoffs’ first round, the Nuggets need all the firepower they can get. I think we can collectively live without Fernandez, but Chandler’s absence (even though he hasn’t had much presence this season to begin with) will hurt. Just as it hurt having no Afflalo for the first two games of last season’s Thunder/Nuggets playoff series and an injured Afflalo for Games 3 through 5.
If the Nuggets are to draw the Thunder, Chandler can guard Kevin Durant, James Harden and Thabo Sefolosha. That’s three-eighths of Thunder’s rotation. Should the Nuggets match up against the Spurs, Chandler would be tasked with defending Manu Ginobili, Stephen Jackson, Boris Diaw and Danny Green … half the Spurs’ rotation.
But alas, there will be no Chandler. And with Gallo fighting through an injured wrist and Harrington fighting through a torn meniscus (ouch!), the swing players for the Nuggets' playoff opponent may have a field day against us.
On to the links …
4-19 Andrew on ESPN Radio FM102.3
I joined Nate Kreckman yesterday and talked all things Nuggets on ESPN Radio FM102.3.
Wilson Chandler out for season for Nuggets – The Denver Post
The details of Chandler's injury and impending surgery.
The Nuggets backcourt – basketball’s “Odd Couple” | Nuggets Ink — Denver Nuggets news
Benjamin Hochman writes about the odd pairing of Afflalo with Ty Lawson.
Kiszla: Your name is Blake Griffin? Nuggets’ Kenneth Faried doesn’t care – The Denver Post
Kiszla writes favorably of Kenneth Faried versus Blake Griffin … but makes no mention of Griffin’s insanely amazing dunk right on Faried in Wednesday’s game.
Nuggets' Danilo Gallinari staying "positive" through slump – The Denver Post
We've been wondering why Gallo has been struggling and now we know. As Nate Timmons emailed me tonight: perhaps we should start calling Gallo "Mr. Glass".
South Stands Denver Fancast | Denver Sports Podcast – Our 100th show! Let's all celebrate and have a good time!
It's time to get get together. April 26th. What's your pleasure? The NFL Draft? The Nuggets game? The 100th recording of the South Stands Denver Fancast will bring out fellow Stiffs and more. Here's all the information for the party!
