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Wilson Chandler: ‘I’m one of the soldiers who goes out there for the generals’

By Net Income
Philadelphia 76ers v Brooklyn Nets Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

Wilson Chandler was back in his hometown of Benton Harbor, Michigan, this week, to run his first basketball camp for area kids. A local newspaper, the South Bend Tribune, caught up with the 6’8” forward and talked about a lot of things, including his role on the revamped Nets ... and his love of New York.

“Man, you know how it is,” Chandler said, talking about his role. “I’m one of the soldiers who goes out there for the generals and the captains. I’m on the support team and rightfully so.

“Whenever they need my help, they know they have a warrior besides themselves.”

“We’ve got superstars and all-stars in the league, but if you can be a good role player, you can have a great career and a long career,” said the 12-year vet.

Chandler, 32, agreed to a vets minimum deal not long after the Nets “clean sweep,” signing Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan. Last season, he played for both the 76ers and Clippers. Before being dealt to LA in the Tobias Harris trade, Chandler was a mainstay for Philly, starting 32 of 36 games. He averaged 6.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and shot 39 percent from three in 26.4 minutes.

The first round Knick draft choice in 2007, Chandler played three and a half years in New York and liked the idea of a return. He’s even leased a Brooklyn brownstone and proudly posted a picture of his two boys sitting on its stoop.

Chandler is under no illusion that this season will be a easy, despite the big signings. He and the Nets will face pressure —a lot of it.

“The media’s crazy; the fans are crazy,” he said. “If you’re not doing well in New York, they’re going to let you know at the game. They’re going to let you know when you’re at the grocery store. They’re going to let you know out in the street.

“There’s a lot of pressure there.”

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