Tyson Chandler headed to Knicks
When the New York Knicks host the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day, they will have a new teammate to celebrate the holiday with: Tyson Chandler.
Chandler, who helped the Dallas Mavericks win the championship last season, joined a Dallas radio station Friday to announce he would sign with New York and thank fans and the Mavericks organization.
"It just really happened over the last, like, 48 hours," Chandler told ESPN 103.3's Ben and Skin Show. "I just think the future of the team, being able to play alongside Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and the young talent that we have, I feel like puts us in contention over the next four or five years."Earlier, the New York Times reported Chandler was asking for a four-year, $58 million contract so for the Knicks to land the 7-foot-1 defensive star, they will have to unload Chauncey Billups, then move Ronny Turiaff.
Last year, Chandler averaged 10 points per game but he is a true force on the defensive end, averaging more than 9 rebounds per contest and routinely shutting down opposing big men.
Getting Chandler will be a huge boost for the Knicks, who ranked 27th in the league in points allowed per game (105.7) last season.
How big of an impact will Chandler have? Said teammate Dirk Nowitzki: "(Chandler) changed the whole culture defensively for us."