Wilson Chandler working way back after missing most of 2012 season

Denver forward Wilson Chandler is still recovering from hip surgery performed this spring. Chandler hopes that he can get back into the rotation quickly and in time for the 2012-13 season opener.

Chandler told the Denver Post on Monday that its been "a slow process with the hip, kind of a delicate situation." He has not yet returned to practice, but is aiming to be in the lineup on Oct. 31 in Philadelphia when the Nuggets open their regular season.

Nuggets coach George Karl had this to say to the Post about the 25-year-old DePaul product:

"I think he's an athletic, ahead-of-the-curve defender," Karl said. "He played (a lot) for New York basically because he was one of their best defenders, if not their best defender. The addition of Andre (Iguodala) and him gives us an opportunity to move toward being a really good defensive team. He can guard big men, little men, all over the court."

Chandler came to Denver from New York on Feb. 22, 2011 in the Carmelo Anthony trade and played out the year with the Nuggets. Chandler returned from China in March of 2012 and signed a five-year, $37 million deal with Denver, then played only eight games before he tore his left labral joint and had to be operated on by hip specialist Dr. Marc Philippon.