Raymond Felton said if Tyson Chandler decides to rest for the remainder of the regular season for precautionary reasons, he’d be all for it.
Chandler, who has missed the past eight games with a bulging disk in his cervical spine, is expected to sit out again Friday night vs. Charlotte as the Knicks go for their season-high seventh straight win.
Chandler was close to playing vs. Boston on Tuesday but Monday’s practice didn’t go well and he felt symptoms again – neck stiffness and and spasms.
Felton believes the Knicks should consider not taking chances with Chandler, especially since the club is on a six-game winning streak without him. The move to Kenyon Martin as starting center and insertion of Pablo Prigioni in the starting backcourt with Felton has been golden.
“He’s fine,’’ Felton said. “We’re just making sure he’s going to be fine and we’re not going to miss him if he comes back too early and hurt his neck and he’s gone for the playoffs. If he stays out for the rest of the year, we’re fine with that. We got to make sure he’s OK (for the playoffs).’’
Mike Woodson said Thursday he doesn’t expect that to occur and prefers Chandler to return sooner. Chandler has not played since the loss in Denver March 13 when he collided with Nuggets big man Kenneth Faried.
The Knicks have survived well without Chandler, especially on the defensive end. The key has been the resurgence of Martin as a two-way energizer, as he has been healthy as a clam after sitting out the season’s first four months as a free agent.
Martin, like Amar’e Stoudemire, has microfracture surgeries on his resume.
“The legs feel good, they’ve felt good for a few years,’’ Martin said. “I haven’t had the wear and tear like a lot of guys around the league have had, especially on this team. I’m fairly fresh and the minutes I’m playing is cool.’’
Asked if he feels for Stoudemire, who underwent his second debridement surgery of the season on March 11th, Martin said, “I’ve been there. We’ve both been there. He’s had surgeries similar to mine. I’ve had two microfractures. I know the work you have to put in to come back. It’s uphill battle. I think he’s going to work to get it done.’’
Stoudemire had surgery March 11. The six-week timetable would have him back for Game 2 of the first-round series. However, Stoudemire, on a conference call Thursday to promote a documentary on his life, wouldn’t guarantee he’ll be back for the first round.
“If anyone can make it back, it’s Amar’e, I promise you that,’’ said Woodson, who finally spoke to Stoudemire Thursday about his rehab. Woodson appeared ticked Stoudemire had done a nationally televised interview Wednesday night, mentioning his rehab, without talking to the coach first.
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Woodson, graduate of the Indiana University, was forced to carry an orange around during Friday’s morning shootaround in Tarrytown after losing an NCAA tournament bet with Carmelo Anthony. Anthony’s Orangemen beat the Hoosiers last night in a Sweet 16 game.
“I’m going to toss it right after we’re through,’’ Woodson said.
