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Wilson Chandler’s time to shine

By Brandon Ewing

DENVER, CO - MARCH 10: Wilson Chandler #21 and Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets react during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 10, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 10: Wilson Chandler #21 and Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets react during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 10, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With the departure of Danilo Gallinari in free agency, small forward Wilson Chandler is in line for a bigger role for the Denver Nuggets this upcoming season.

Gallinari was the Nuggets starting small forward for most of the season last year and Chandler mostly came off the bench. Whenever Gallinari was injured Chandler would usually step into the starting line-up and fill a bigger role for the Denver Nuggets.

Chandler has some pretty big shoes to fill with the departure of Gallinari, but the veteran should be up for the challenge. Chandler is the only Nuggets player left on the roster from the Carmelo Anthony trade and is going into his eighth year with the Nuggets organization. Chandler has been through the George Karl era, Brian Shaw era, and now the Michael Malone era so he has seen plenty of change in the Nuggets organization over the years.

Chandler had a bounce back year last year after missing the entire 2015-16 season while recovering from hip surgery. Chandler played in 71 games last year and started in 33 of those games. According to basketball-reference.com, Chandler averaged 15.7 points per game, 2 assists per game, and 6.5 rebounds. The rebounds were a career high for Chandler and he played a lot of his minutes at small forward position, but he can also play power forward as well.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

Chandler is in line to start for the Nuggets this upcoming season and Juancho Hernangomez will more than likely be his back-up. Chandler did have an issue with his role last season and even popped up in trade rumors when the trade deadline came around. There should be no issue with Chandler’s role now though as he is a sure fire starter in Denver and will be a big contributor in the playoff push.

Chandler is a great fit on this roster and seems to play well with everyone on the roster especially Nikola Jokic. Chandler is a great shooter, cutter, and finisher at the rim and also brings great veteran leadership to such a young Nuggets roster. The leadership Chandler shows isn’t just vital on the court, but in the locker room as well. He knows what it takes to make it to the playoffs which is something he can teach all the young Nuggets players about.

Chandler has started before and was a consistent starter for the Nuggets in 2013-14 and 2014-15. Chandler started 55 games in 2013 and averaged 13.6 points per game and 4.7 rebounds. In 2014 he averaged 13.9 points per game and 6.1 rebounds. Chandler averaged 31 minutes per game in both of those seasons and to put it in comparison, he averaged 30.9 minutes per game last season. What that shows is that he is used to a fairly heavy workload and has started before so this won’t be new territory to him.

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Chandler should have no issues filling the shoes of Danilo Gallinari and it’s a role that he seems to be up to the challenge for. Chandler’s veteran leadership and steady play on the court will do nothing but good on a Nuggets team that is looking for there first playoff appearance since 2012-13. Another key point is that Chandler will know the role he is in before the season starts and won’t have to worry about that throughout the season. A worry free Wilson Chandler is a great Wilson Chandler and will be a key player to watch on the Nuggets roster this upcoming season.

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