LONDON — With Dwight Howard out West and Andrew Bynum never guaranteed to be healthy, Knicks starting center Tyson Chandler may get a chance to be voted in as an All-Star by fans.
Chandler never has appeared in an All-Star Game, let alone started one. But his NBA championship two seasons ago with Dallas, his Defensive-Player-of-the-Year season with the Knicks and his role as starting center for the Olympic Team has boosted his profile.
Asked if he’s now the best center in the East, Chandler said, “That’s a good question. We’ll see. Time will tell. I’ll have an opportunity to prove myself this year and I’m looking forward to it.’’
Chandler and new Sixers center Bynum will lock horns four times now.
“I’ve always looked forward to playing against Bynum —one of the better post players in our league,’’ Chandler said. “I’m going to enjoy the matchup.’’
During these Olympic Games, Chandler ripped NBA coaches in an interview with The Post for voting him second-team All Defense after winning the Defensive Player of the Year award, saying it was “ridiculous.’’ The latter is voted on by the media.
Even in the Olympics, Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski has not extended Chandler, using him to start the game and the third quarter. Chandler doesn’t expect extra time today vs. supersized Spain.
“We make adjustments but we don’t change our game plan,’’ Chandler said. “We don’t match up against them. We make them match up against us.’’
Though Chandler believes the defending-champion Heat still are “the favorite’’ because they got better, Carmelo Anthony said the Lakers should be the favorite now.
“I think everybody’s going to be saying that,’’ Anthony said. “Anytime Dwight unites with Kobe [Bryant], [Steve] Nash, along with Pau [Gasol], anyone’s going to say they’re the team to beat.’’