NBA

Knicks center Chandler eager for Olympics

With big men Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge out for the London Olympics after surgeries, center Tyson Chandler said he is ready to don the red, white and blue after the Knicks’ playoff run.

With the dearth of big men and Andrew Bynum saying he wasn’t interested, Chandler may even start for the United States Olympic Team when the Summer Games begin in late July.

Chandler, who was not selected to the 2008 Olympic gold-medal team but played for Team USA in the 2010 World Championships, was named one of the 20 finalists in January. His new NBA championship ring and solid season with the Knicks have him as a mortal lock when Team USA’s 12-man roster is selected in late May.

“I’m definitely ready to represent my country,’’ Chandler told The Post. “I’m very excited. Just to be able to be considered for the USA team is a blessing and something I’m very proud of. I committed myself when I joined in 2007. I still feel that way.’’

Chandler was snubbed for the 2012 All-Star Game — he has never made it — but the groundswell for his Defensive Player of the Year candidacy is growing fast. In the three games he has missed, the Knicks have allowed 112, 118, 119 points.

Chandler also should earn placement on one of the three All-NBA teams. In fact, longtime NBA journalist Sam Smith, now Bulls website editor, selected Chandler on the NBA first team over Howard. Chandler is averaging his first double-double — 11.4 points, 10.0 rebounds — and is shooting 68.9 percent, which by far tops the NBA.

Chandler feels he would do fine in the freewheeling Olympic style that emphasizes scoring.

“I’m a defensive guy but I’d fit very well in the offense,’’ Chandler said. ‘That’s a [Mike] D’Antoni-run offense — a lot of pick-and-rolls and a lot of slips. That goes right along with the style I play.’’

Chandler speaks occasionally to D’Antoni, who resigned March 14 but will return as a Team USA assistant.

“I talk to him and stay in touch,’’ Chandler said. “Sometimes it’s not necessarily anything about the coach or style. Sometimes it’s a change is needed in the voice. I think Coach understood that. That’s why he felt a change was needed.’’

Jeremy Lin, who made the Knicks’ road trip, tweeted he jogged for the first time Sunday since knee surgery three weeks ago. But people familiar with the situation said he’s at least three weeks away and definitely will miss Round 1.

Because Lin had a “lateral’’ meniscus tear in his knee, it takes much longer to rehab than if it was a “medial’’ tear, according a person with knowledge of Lin’s situation. The Knicks originally did not disclose whether it was “medial’’ or “lateral’’.

Lin hoped to beat the six-week timetable, but that isn’t happening as his knee swelled up after surgery.

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Amar’e Stoudemire said his rehab process from a bulging disk was more strenuous than he let on.

“I’d been working my butt off 10 hours a day,’’ said Stoudemire, whose comeback is two games old. “I know I haven’t been keeping you informed on the process but I’ve been working my butt off. So I feel great.’’