For the Olympics, Howard’s Loss is Chandler’s Gain

Dwight Howard’s loss will turn out to be Tyson Chandler’s gain.

With the Orlando Magic center done for the season and set to have back surgery Friday because of a herniated disk, Chandler’s chances of making the U.S. Olympic roster just got a whole lot better.

The only other center on the roster besides Howard and Chandler is LaMarcus Aldridge, who is having right hip surgery next month.

“I feel like I have a great opportunity to play,” Chandler told the New York Post before the Howard news broke. “It all comes down to what they feel jells and fits with each other.”

The original 20-man roster is now down to 16 with injuries to Howard, Aldridge and Chauncey Billups and the reported elimination of Lamar Odom because of his performance this season.

Photo: USA Basketball

Written by Adam Zagoria

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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.