CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tyson Chandler, sounding relieved Tuesday his season is not over, hopes to be back in a month. In the meantime, Chandler said he’s got to tutor his center replacement, 7-foot finesse shooter Andre Bargnani.
The two can’t be more dissimilar. Chandler is all about defense.
“I just got to be positive, have to be here with my teammates and help Bargnani out with my calls,” Chandler said. “I have to help him get comfortable playing the [center] position. My teammates should take this as a time to come together.”
Chandler, walking on crutches, had feared ligament damage after bumping knees with Charlotte point guard Kemba Walker Tuesday. Instead, it’s only a broken fibula in his right leg.
“I had an idea what it was when I left [the arena], but it was good news when I saw it was just a fracture,” Chandler said at Thursday’s practice. “No ligament damage. When you get hit like that, the majority of the time you get some ligament damage. I’m thankful for that. I’m an optimist and thinking if I’m going to have an injury at least it was this.
“Hopefully I could be back in a month. Injuries like that can be scary.”
The reeling Knicks (1-3) have set a timetable of four to six weeks, which could be anywhere between 15 -22 games.
“I’m hoping [to be back in a month],” Chandler said. “That’s what I’m hoping for. I’m hoping for a shorter length than longer.’’
The 7-foot-1 Chandler was off to a brilliant start after his poor playoffs last season — averaging 11.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks before his abbreviated stint on Tuesday.
“We got to stay together and continue to play for [one] another and play with spirit,’’ Chandler said. “It’s not the time to point the finger.’’
As Chandler limped off the court Tuesday, he was thinking it was not severe.
“I honestly thought I had a deep bone bruise,’’ Chandler said. “I kept trying to get up and walk it off. But where I hit the bone there’s nerves there and my foot wouldn’t wake up.’’
Chandler expects to be in a walking boot in a couple of weeks and can only do upper-body strength work. And help the big Italian.