Tyson Chandler estimates he’s taking at least 600 jump shots each day during Knicks training camp. That is an exorbitant amount higher than any other preseason in Chandler’s 12 NBA seasons.
You can bet as Chandler tries this experiment, turning him into more of a a jump-shooting big man, he sees the face of Indiana center Roy Hibbert reflecting from the glass backboard.
Chandler seems to be still seething over getting outplayed by the 7-foot-2 Hibbert, who had his coming-out party in last season’s second-round playoff series at Chandler’s expense. Chandler averaged just six points and six rebounds in the series.
“I vowed to myself I would never let that happen again,” Chandler said Friday. “I would never let my team down and be in that situation again.”
In Chandler’s defense, he was coming off a neck injury and strep throat that caused him to lose 12 pounds.
“I’ve got to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Chandler added, referring to his second-round performance. “It’s not about him. It’s about me. My job is to stop whoever is in front of me and outplay them, no matter who it is. I’ve got to look at it like motivation, like I got my ass kicked. So next time I’m not going to let that happen.’’
Chandler was pulled from scrimmages Friday so he can work alone on a court and shoot jumpers from eight to 15 feet. Chandler’s attempt at reinventing himself is also with Hibbert in mind because the Knicks don’t think the Pacers’ lumbering center can get out to cover him. Chandler made 17 baskets from 10 feet and out last season but is a good free-throw shooter.
“I’m an athlete, I’ve excelled defensively, there’s no reason I can’t excel offensively,” Chandler said. “It’s a mindset. Defensively, my mindset is always, ‘I’m going to lock down every single possession.’ Now it has to be ‘OK, I’m going to be aggressive every possession [on offense].’
Chandler won’t say how many jumpers he hopes to hit per game.
“When the opportunity comes, I’m going to be aggressive,’’ he said.
Chandler has his camp moments when he knocks down five in a row but coach Mike Woodson knows he’s got a long way to go.
“I don’t know if he’s making a bunch yet,’’ Woodson said. “He’s shooting a lot. He’s got to get to the scrimmage first to put it to use. We’ve tried to get him comfortable to take the shot because teams are laying off him. I think he’s got a nice stroke. I feel good about him taking it.’’
The Knicks are being extra cautious with Iman Shumpert, who didn’t practice for a second straight day because of sore right shoulder. He is expected to be back Saturday.
Woodson said his goal is to move into the top 10 this season in defensive efficiency (the advanced statistic for points allowed per 100 possessons). Last season, the Knicks were 16th.
“Our defense did have slippage,’’ Woodson said, referring to after the first 25 games. “A lot of it was we couldn’t practice because of all the injuries.’’