Wilson Chandler, "ill Will", is a forgotten man. Or at least he was.
When the Nuggets acquired the versatile Chandler from the New York Knicks in the mega "Melo Trade" on February 22 2011, not many people knew what to expect from the 4 year player. Chandler was averaging a career high 16.4 points per game in 51 games before being traded. When he got to Denver his scoring has decreased due to less minutes and more offensive options available. But that does not tell the story of what "ill Will" means to this Nuggets team.
As of March 19th 2013, Wilson Chandler has only played in 60 games out of a possible 157 for the Denver Nuggets since being traded. In the shortened 2011-2012 season he only appeared in 8 games for Denver due to playing over in China at the start of the season and then suffering a season ending hip injury. The Nuggets made some noise in the first round against the Lakers, but were unable to win Game 7 in LA. Maybe things would have been different if Chandler was healthy, we will never know.
But for a majority of Nuggets fans Chandler was fading into the background. Questions were raised if he could ever stay healthy for an extended period of time. Wilson Chandler? Oh yeah, that one guy we got in the Carmelo trade, is he still hurt? Are we going to trade him? Do the Nuggets really need him with their deep roster?
At the beginning of the 2012-2013 season Wilson Chandler was still recovering from the hip surgery he had on May 1st. With a deep team that featured the ability to replace Chandler with the likes of Danilo Gallanari, Andre Igoudala, Corey Brewer, and even Jordan Hamilton or Evan Fournier, the idea of needing Wilson Chandler to compete became somewhat of an afterthought.
I have heard many people suggest that Wilson Chandler should be traded. But let's take a look at how good this team can be when he is on the court. This season the Nuggets are 24-4 when Wilson Chandler plays. That is a 85.7% winning percentage. They are 23-18 without him, 56% winning percentage.
I don't think that is a coincidence. Not that type of disparity. At that rate, Masai Ujiri and Josh Kronke might trade anyone except Wilson Chandler.
Chandler provides match up nightmares for opposing teams. He has a perimeter game, mid range and from 3-point distance. He can drive to the rim off the dribble and has a strong post game. He also comes in with the second unit, so for a portion of the time he is playing against the opponents reserve players. Even when Chandler isn't scoring he affects the game with his ability to rebound and hit a perimeter shot (something the Nuggets struggle with). He is averaging a career high in 3-point shooting percentage (41.3%). Wilson also allows George Karl the flexibility to rotate him in for Danilo Gallanari or Kenneth Faried if either needs a rest or is struggling, with no loss of production (or in some games an increase in production).
Wilson Chandler has tied his career high twice this season, 35 points, against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls. Both games were won because of Wilson's play and have contributed to a Nuggets Franchise (NBA) record 13 straight wins.
Wilson Chandler is not just the Nuggets best bench player, when healthy, ill Will could be the Denver Nuggets best player, period.
Wilson Chandler is not forgotten anymore.
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