The return of Wilson Chandler has sparked more conversation about who on the Brooklyn Nets roster will be impacted than what the veteran will bring to the table when he takes the floor. (It looks like Iman Shumpert will be the one who suffers most from Chandler’s return.)
On Tuesday, Joe Harris defined Chandler as a “pro’s pro.” The same has been said of Garrett Temple, who has received his share of praise from Nets teammates. Shumpert — who Brooklyn acquired because of Chandler’s 25-game suspension — also made his mark on Brooklyn, as has DeAndre Jordan.
Now, losing one veteran for another could seem like a wash in the long haul. Especially since Kenny Atkinson has a relationship with both Shumpert and Chandler, which dates back to their days with the New York Knicks. But there is something unique about Atkinson’s relationship with Chandler, which he expressed to reporters at Tuesday’s practice, per Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News:
The big advantage is my experience with Wilson, and not only my experience with the Knicks, but I’ve kind of followed him when he was playing on other teams. I watched him closely. So I feel comfortable. I feel really comfortable. He knows the system. It’s just gonna be the physical return, what that looks like.
Atkinson also added:
He’s a mature player. He’s been in the league a while now. He’s got a lot of credibility in this league, which just helps him so many ways. I think it’ll help us improve, quite honestly.
Jordan also pointed out Chandler’s versatility as a bigger forward on the defensive end:
He brings another veteran leadership guy in here, another big we can throw in there who can play multiple positions, guard multiple positions. He can shoot it from behind the arc, help us in rebounding. He’ll be all-around helping us this year, and we’re excited for him to come back.
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