NBA

Chandler: ‘No pressure’ to save Woodson’s job

The man who can save Mike Woodson’s job may begin that task Wednesday.

The Knicks had so few bodies at practice Tuesday, Tyson Chandler wasn’t able to go through with his planned five-on-five scrimmage. But a three-on-three workout was enough for Chandler and he expects to make his return Wednesday night in Milwaukee, as long as he isn’t in pain from his morning workout.

Chandler, out since Nov. 5 with a broken leg, joins a depleted group that will be without Kenyon Martin and Amar’e Stoudemire against the Bucks.

“I’ve done everything possible to keep myself in a good position,’’ Chandler said. “I’ve watched a lot of basketball. Hopefully I can come back and bring a high level of basketball back to my team. I’m feeling good out there, feeling confident moving around.’’

Chandler had been the Knicks’ most valuable player through the first three games on both ends. But he likely will be rusty.

“I hope not,’’ Chandler said. “But obviously you can’t simulate game speed.’’

Asked about the pressure of turning the losing around, perhaps saving his head coach’s job, Chandler said, “There’s no pressure. It’s just basketball and playing with players I love to play with.’’

The Knicks were 1-2 when he went down in the first quarter of the season’s fourth game against Charlotte. They are 6-15 since, but Chandler won’t blame it on Andrea Bargnani being forced to carry the load at center.

“I thought he did an excellent job,’’ Chandler said. “I thought he was one of our best defenders and most consistent. He did an excellent job one-on-one in the post and was growing in the pick-and-roll. He’s also learning on the fly what we want him to do.’’


Rookie Tour’e Murry, who excelled at the Las Vegas summer league and preseason, is now the Knicks’ backup point guard, playing behind new starter Beno Udrih. Pablo Prigioni’s hairline fracture of his big toe has lifted Murry into the mix. Guard Chris Smith was called up Tuesday from the D-League, but he’s more to be a practice body with all the injuries.

“He’s a young player who hasn’t been under the big lights yet,’’ Woodson said of Murry. “We have to give him a shot.’’

Though Smith scored 28 points in his most recent outing for Erie, he wasn’t even the starting point guard. … Pete Carril, general manager Steve Mills’ coach at Princeton, attended practice.