"Forward Thinking"
By Greg Hutchins

With the 2008 NBA Draft & Summer League in the books, Donnie Walsh now turns his attention to upgrading the roster while looking for salary cap flexibility where possible. With a plethora of guards and small forwards, his next order of business must revolve around balancing the roster. With Danilo Gallinari in the mix, the team has 5 small forwards with guaranteed contracts for next season. With 16 guaranteed pacts following the signing of David Lee's former Florida Gators teammate Anthony Roberson, Walsh must move at least one player. Stephon Marbury & Jerome James appear to be two Knicks destined for a new place to play.

If we learned one thing from the exhibition games in Las Vegas, Wilson Chandler is clearly going to be a featured player for Mike D'Antoni. Chandler is without question the team's best two-way threat since Latrell Sprewell. Following Ernie Grunfeld's departure, there have been countless players brought to Madison Square Garden known best for either scoring prowess or labeled as defensive stoppers. The lack of players who are equally effective on both ends is one of the primary factors that has led to a sub .500 record since the 2000-01 season. Chandler may very well be a central figure to making the Knicks a contender again.

Wilson Chandler has only appeared in 35 regular season & 5 summer league games for the Knicks, but has shown that he has all the tools to be a force offensively & defensively. In limited action last season, Chandler proved he's one of the better athletes on the team and went on to post a respectable 7.3 ppg & 3.6 rpg. Add in the fact that he only averaged 19.6 minutes per game and the numbers are impressive when compared to the team's starting small forward. Quentin Richardson's 8.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg over the course of 28.3 mpg in 65 starts ranked him in the bottom tier of starting swingmen in the league. Chandler gives the Knicks something that Richardson, Balkman, Jeffries & Walsh's prized first rounder don't: the ability to score the basketball and lockdown the opponent's best wing player.

Chandler finished the 5 game summer session averaging just over 19 points per game and showed an innate ability to put the ball on the floor, rebound on the defensive end, block shots and play the passing lane. His performance against the Phoenix Suns left fans, teammates & Coach D'Antoni drawing comparisons to Shawn Marion. During the Knicks 85-80 victory, Chandler showed why many believe he will be named the starting small forward. Chandler's 31 points on 11-19 shooting & 12 rebounds show the second-year forward from DePaul is poised to be a significant contributor next season. His best play of the game was a block of a 7-footer who was posting him up, then running down the floor and finishing with a jam off a lob pass from Mardy Collins. Chandler displayed a refined perimeter game, improved ball handling skills and keen defensive awareness that made a significant impact on Walsh.

Standing at 6-8 & 220 lbs, Chandler is a prototype swingman who should thrive in D'Antoni's system. While a stellar summer league performance is no indicator of regular season success, Chandler showcased a skill set that is separate & distinct from any other player on Walsh's roster. He is clearly the most physically gifted of the 16 players under contract and the only Knick with the ability to impact the game on both ends. Richardson may have more experience in D'Antoni's offense, but Chandler is clearly a superior player. Gallinari may have the better shooting touch, but Chandler's mid-range game and ferocity going to the basket make him a better scoring threat. Jeffries & Balkman may be touted as better help defenders, but Chandler's a better on ball defender and shot blocker.

For a team looking to rebound from two 23 win seasons in 3 years, Walsh & D'Antoni will need at least three new starters to show change is truly on the horizon. Much like the summer of 1996 when Grunfeld imported Larry Johnson, Allan Houston & Chris Childs (which led to a 10 game improvement in the win column), Walsh needs to take similar action. With Chris Duhon set to take the reigns as the starting point guard, Walsh can focus his attention on moving Zach Randolph. If Walsh can move Randolph's contract and bring in a better fit at power forward for D'Antoni's offense, his work this summer might be complete. With Chandler on the cusp of a breakout season, Walsh's new starting small forward is signed and ready for major minutes.

Questions or comments about this article may be e-mailed to gardengrasp@gmail.com