The Official Website www.TysonChandler.com - News

Chandler Looks to Begin New Championship Run in Familiar Territory

Excel Admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:58:44 -0400

There are people who don't think the New York Knicks can stop the Miami Heat. Those people don't know howTyson Chandler can affect games.

Per 36 minutes, LeBron James has averaged 27 points per game in his first two seasons in Miami, one of the highest averages in the league. But during the NBA Finals last year, that number plummeted. With Tyson Chandler on the floor during the Mavericks-Heat battle, Lebron averaged a pedestrian 12 points.

James’ inability to score at his normal rate can be explained largely by a struggle to get to the foul line. Throughout his career, Lebron has made a living at the free throw line, and during the 2010-11 NBA season, he was top five in the league, averaging nearly eight free throw attempts per game. But James only managed to shoot two free throws per 36 minutes, largely because he had so much trouble getting past Chandler.

“You’ve got to keep those guys contained," Tyson said this week. "It can be done, I know. But it’s not easy to do.”

Tyson's control of the paint took James out of his game, and it led to big problems for the Heat star. James settled for nearly as many three point shots (22) as he did shots at the rim (24), and he wound up leaning more heavily on his teammates; the only statistical category where James improved when Tyson was on the floor was assist totals.

James reverted to his usual efficient, game-changing self whenever he had the chance to be on the floor without Chandler, but those stretches were few and far between. As a result, Chandler and his teammates helped hoist the Mavericks' first championship banner.

That success against Miami is likely why Tyson’s excited to take on one of the NBA’s most dangerous teams, “We feel like we were in every game and we left so much on the table against them," Tyson said of the Knicks' regular season battles with the Heat. "We made so many mistakes and we didn’t capitalize on them being aggressive.”

Tyson knows those opportunities must be seized in the postseason, and he's relishing the chance to lead his Knicks teammates up. “We have to understand what is at stake, because you have to completely turn it up,” Tyson said. “I just went through it last year and I understand what it’s going to take. I’ve got to do my job in preparing my teammates for what’s going to be ahead of them.”

Everyone is wondering how Tyson’s Knicks are going to play against Miami. But maybe it’s time to consider how Miami will respond to a rematch with the player who thwarted their championship aspirations.

Even While Resting, Tyson Making a Case For Defensive Player of the Year

Excel Admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:32:23 -0400

On Sunday afternoon, head coach Mike Woodson decided to give one of his team's most valuable components some much-needed rest.

Though the game was nationally televised, and against a fellow playoff team, Woodson decided that Tyson Chandler, who leads the Knicks in minutes played this season, was too important to his team's playoff prospects to risk wearing down.

The result, a chaotic 113-112 win in Atlanta, seemed to validate Woodson's thinking.

''It shows how valuable Tyson Chandler is to our ball club,'' Woodson said. ''He plugs a lot of holes for us."

Indeed, Tyson's absence might have put even more steam into his Defensive Player of the Year campaign. The Knicks have now allowed 116.3 points in three games without Chandler, and 93.8 when he plays.

A lot of that has to do with his individual production, which currently positions him as a top 10 rebounder and a leader in steals among centers. But it also speaks to the year-long commitment Tyson's had to improving the Knicks defense as a whole. “I want my teammates to feel comfortable out there,” he said. “I want to let them know where they’re supposed to be and what’s coming. I feel like if your teammates constantly hear you talk and they constantly hear a voice, they won’t feel like they’re out there by themselves.”

Tyson has carried that commitment with him throughout his career, and positive effects have followed. He will be making his fifth consecutive playoff appearance, and his seventh in eight years.

Though this sustained team success hasn’t yet translated into All-Star selections or post-season awards, he hasn’t let it affect him, and he still hopes to bring home the Defensive Player of the Year award, as he told Sheridan Hoops' Moke Hamilton on Friday.

“It would be huge for me,” Tyson said of winning the award. “It would signify a lot of hard work being recognized as well as the hard work of my teammates.”

Send Tyson a Tweet to cheer him on as he continues his chase for a Defensive Player of the Year award, and don’t forget to catch him and the Knicks on MSG and NBA League pass as they prepare for their run in the playoffs.

Whispers Turn to Calls For Chandler to Win Defensive Player of the Year

Excel Admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:06:15 -0400

As recently as late March, nobody was talking about Tyson Chandler as the defensive player of the year. Today, it's hard to find a sports columnist who isn't.

Almost every corner of the basketball media universe is starting to recognize the superb performances Tyson Chandler's been turning in all year, but like most things, the national conversation about Tyson's impact on the Knicks began quietly.

On April 5, Tyson thoroughly outplayed Dwight Howard in a nationally televised game at Amway Arena, and a blogger named Alex Raskin noticed the huge discrepancy between the effort and impact both players turned in. The next day, Raskin proclaimed that Tyson was more deserving of DPOY consideration than Howard, a player who has already won the award three times and is widely considered one of the most disruptive men to ever patrol the paint.

But what Raskin saw went beyond just the video. Howard didn't just get outworked by Chandler. Both players were miked up by the NBA for TNT's telecast, and the recordings of the two centers revealed Chandler to be more engaged too, calling out more rotations, exhorting his teammates, and generally pulling for the Knicks to succeed. Chandler, the tape seemed to indicate, isn't just the most talented defender on his team. He is also the most passionate and committed.

Soon, support for Chandler's candidacy extended beyond heart and intangibles. ESPN’s John Hollinger, a pioneer in advanced NBA statistics, recently made his case, pointing out the Knicks, who ranked 21st in the league in defensive efficiency last year, have made an astounding jump to fifth-best. Tyson, Hollinger points out, wasn't just the catalyst for New York’s defensive transformation. The Knicks' marked team defensive improvements are part of a trend that extends to each of the five teams Tyson has played for in his career. As a matter of fact, since 2005, every team Tyson has played for has been one of the top ten most effective defenses in the NBA.

Other NBA writers noticed Hollinger’s support of Chandler, and decided to join the conversation. But rather than igniting controversy or sparking debate, the added scrutiny only raised Tyson's profile. Sports Illustrated's Zach Lowe wondered whether Chandler might be one of the NBA's top 20 players. In an incredibly detailed post, Steve Van Horn at Hardwood Paroxysm pointed out that Tyson has a gifted vision for defense, much like how point guards like Steve Nash have for offense.

"He often beats penetrating point guards to the spot with his anticipation, awareness and length," Van Horn wrote. "Opposing big men struggle to break his disciplined approach and steal easy baskets under the rim."

Of course, that is exactly what Tyson promised he would bring to the Knicks at his introductory press conference.

“I know what my job is in coming here," Tyson said at the time. "I know I came here to defend. I’m going to defend the rim and I’m going to rebound. I’m going to get extra shots. I know if we play on both ends, and we play as a team, the sky is definitely the limit.”

The actual honoree won't be decided on for a couple of weeks, and Tyson and his teammates face several crucial tests between now and the regular season. But assuming Tyson continues to play at the level he's played at all year, those whispers and calls could become a roar, and then, finally, cheers from all of Tyson's fans.

Staunch D a Given, Tyson's O Key to Knicks Success

Excel Admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:24:00 -0400

When the Knicks acquired Tyson Chandler in the off-season, they knew they were getting one of the best defensive centers in the league. Little did they know that Tyson’s presence on offense would be one of the keys to their late-season turnaround.

Simply put, the Knicks are winning when they get Tyson Chandler the ball. In games when he has at least seven field goal attempts, New York is an impressive 9-1. Though it's tempting to call this a byproduct of his league-leading offensive efficiency, there's more to it than that. Tyson's touches are a sign that the Knicks offense is running smoothly. Even when he's making mistakes, his involvement is a sign that the team is working together, and when the Knicks work together, they pick each other up; the team is a surprising 4-0 in games where Tyson committed at least three turnovers. In other words, Tyson’s involvement in the offense is integral to the Knicks success.

Of course, both Tyson and his teammates are comfortable when he focuses primarily on his defense, and on Wednesday night, he limited Orlando's All-Star center, Dwight Howard, to just 12 points. Ty’s ability to keep Howard in check took Orlando out of their game plan, and it made life easy for the shorthanded Knicks, who went on to win comfortably, 108-86.

Though he used most of his energy shutting down the league’s most dominant center, Tyson still finished with a near double-double, accompanying his nine points with nine rebounds. He added even more padding to his league-high field goal percentage by converting all four of his shots from the field, including this enormous alley-oop dunk from Baron Davis.

Looking Ahead
Tyson and the Knicks have a busy weekend ahead of them, playing back-to-back games Friday and Saturday. First they'll look to clinch a crucial tie-breaker dotywn in Atlanta against the Hawks, then they'll fly home to host playoff hopefuls the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tyson has had his way with the Cleveland front-court this season, averaging 12 points and 12 rebounds, along with his 2.5 blocks and 2.5 steals in the teams’ first two meetings. In other words, be on the lookout for some more huge Tyson alley-oops this weekend.

In Season's Stretch Run, Tyson Chandler's Leadership Can't Be Undervalued

Excel Admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:11:59 -0400

The New York Knicks have had their share of ups and downs during the 2011-12 NBA season. They’ve lost star players to injury and received contributions from unlikely sources. They've had winning streaks and losing streaks. The one thing the Knicks have been able to count on all year, however, is the leadership of center Tyson Chandler.

It’s been a difficult season for everyone on the Knicks, but during their eight-game win streak last month, it could not be more evident who the leader of the team was.

"Tyson is an awesome leader," point guard Jeremy Lin said. "He's a great vet, takes care of everybody, includes everybody.”

Rookie Iman Shumpert talked about how valuable Tyson has been to the team during his rookie season, calling his energy “contagious." Former Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni went as far as saying Tyson Chandler is “the perfect teammate.”

D’Antoni continued, “Just the willingness to sacrifice everything to get a win. And that’s why he won a championship in Dallas."

Not too long ago, Tyson was the missing piece to a championship puzzle that had frustrated the Mavericks franchise for so long. The Mavericks were a team full of veterans, and it would have been easy for Tyson to fall in line behind the guys who had been there for years. But that’s not what he was brought there for.

“He fits, because he’s such a great guy," Mavericks guard Jason Terry said. "You should hear him at road games. He’s flexing his muscles to the other team, he’s telling the crowd to shut up, he’s being as vocal as I’ve ever been. Really, I’m having to take a backseat to him. He’s that vocal, a vocal leader.”

Being a leader on a championship team is one thing. Being the vocal leader for a team playing in New York, and struggling to make the playoffs, is another. But Tyson remains who he is regardless. Whether the team is winning or losing, Tyson is constantly motivating and encouraging his teammates through the chaos of this lockout-compacted season.

Back in the beginning of February, with the Knicks coming off an abysmal stretch of nine losses in eleven games, it was Tyson who had faith in the team when the media began counting the Knicks out.

“In all honestly, I still feel like this is a team that can win a championship. I feel like we definitely have the pieces,” Chandler said during a media session on February 1. “I feel like we haven’t come together yet. It’s a process … I feel like guys are going to have to step up and play roles that they are not necessarily used to. We get everybody back healthy, we get everybody on the floor at one time, then we’ll see what we got.”

Days following Tyson’s vote of confidence, the Knicks began their seven-game win streak that revived their season. And after enduring another losing streak since then, Tyson is back in the media. But he isn’t pointing fingers. Instead, he’s preaching focus and patience to his teammates.

"We just have to make sure we keep that positive light about us, because if we put our heads down now, things aren’t going to get any easier,” Chandler said before the Founders Dinner benefitting the Chabad Center for Jewish Discovery and The Preschool of the Arts. “It’s only going to get tougher. Nobody’s looking to give the New York Knicks a break. But the thing we have to do is just stay positive. . . . We have 25 games or so to get on the right track.”

Tyson has hardly been all talk, however. His game is just as loud as his bark. Tyson is virtually averaging a double-double this season while leading the league in scoring efficiency. Tyson is exceeding all expectations, and he is confident that will lead to the Knicks exceeding expectations as well.

Looking Ahead
The Knicks have a solid opportunity to get back on track this weekend, with a weekend back-to-back set against the playoff-bound Indiana Pacers. With their victory over Portland Wednesday in the Garden, a big weekend could have the Knicks on a three-game win streak with a soft spot in the schedule around the corner.

Make sure to tune in tonight on MSG, when the Knicks host their long-time rivals the Indiana Pacers at 7:30PM EST in Madison Square Garden!

VIDEO: On the Road in Dallas, Tyson Finally Gets His Ring

Excel Admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:33:05 -0500

The bonds, memories and pride that are born during a championship run last a lifetime, but there are always a few special moments when players get to relive them. On Tuesday, March 6, Tyson Chandler experienced one of those moments.

Because of the hectic scheduling of the 2011-12 NBA season, that was the first chance Tyson had to travel to American Airlines Arena and claim the championship ring he earned with the Mavericks the previous season.

Everybody in the arena, from Coach Rick Carlisle and Tyson's Mavericks teammates to the game's sellout crowd, was happy to welcome him back.

In some ways, it was fitting that Tyson was the last Maverick to get his ring. Many argue that he was the final piece in the team's puzzle, a defensive anchor and locker room marshal who helped them through tough patches, policed the paint and gave them the reliable rebounding that had eluded them for years.

He was such a big part of last year," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "He was great in so many ways. Charismatically, on the floor, anchor of our defense."

Tyson may no longer play for the Mavericks, but his tenacity, intelligence and ability are still on display every time he takes the court. And the memories those qualities helped produce all came rushing back on Tuesday night.

A NBA film crew was on hand to document the entire event. Check out the video here!

Tyson, Knicks Look to Define Season's Second Half With Defense

Excel Admin — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:18:55 -0500

Before the start of the 2011-12 NBA season, Tyson Chandler spent a lot of time talking about bringing defense to the New York Knicks. Fresh off a championship-winning season, he knew that changing the defensive culture in New York would likely make the difference between a winning season and a losing one.

With the second half of the Knicks season about to begin tonight, it's amazing to think about how quickly Tyson's words took effect.

As of today, the Knicks are the fifth-best defensive team in the NBA, per 100 possessions. They have the second-highest number of steals. They have the league's fourth-best defensive rebounding percentage. Their opponents' effective field goal percentage lies in the bottom half of the NBA. And at the center of all this change stands Chandler, the only player to start every game for the Knicks this season, and one of the few who's understood and embraced his role on the team from day one.

The gains Tyson's brought about will be tested early. The Knicks played the league's easiest schedule in the first half of the season, and their opponents get tougher right out of the gate. The Cavaliers, a team that knows how to beat the Knicks, come first, and they are followed by a tough three-game road trip that will last just four days: Sunday in Boston, followed by a Texan back-to-back against Dallas and then San Antonio.

With all of the progress his team's made, you could easily forget the nearly historic season Tyson's having on the opposite end of the court. He's still on pace to shatter field goal percentage records held by Wilt Chamberlain and Artis Gilmore, despite a nagging wrist injury that has limited Tyson's ability to grip and pass the ball.

But the pain, the records, and the acclaim don't matter to Tyson. What he wants is wins, and the quest for more of them begins tonight.

On the Roll and In the Middle, Tyson Provides Steady Contribution

Excel Admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:46:43 -0500

Analysts constantly argue about which NBA player is best suited to take the big shot late in a close game. But what about the offensive rebound that leads to a game-winning shot? No one ever talks about who is the best at fighting for those extra opportunities, but without Tyson Chandler on Wednesday night, there is no thrilling game-winner in Toronto.

After Iman Shumpert’s shot attempt with 22 seconds left in the game went long, Tyson pinned his man under the basket and gathered the offensive board that led to maybe the biggest moment of the Knicks unforgettable six-game winning streak.

Instead of forcing up a shot, Tyson opted to restart the offense, passing the ball back out to Shumpert and trusting his teammates, a heads-up play that gave teammate Jeremy Lin the little extra time he needed to get into a rhythm and sink the three heard round the sports world.

It was a steady move in a season that's been marked by consistency and reliability. Tyson is the only Knick who's started every game this year, and he’s averaging career highs in points and assists, and is on pace to join some elite company in scoring efficiency. But Tyson’s personal numbers are just part of the story. He's been the perfect pick-and-roll partner for Jeremy Lin, giving the new point guard several options every trip down the floor.

On Wednesday, the Knicks will face the Sacramento Kings in front of what should be a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd. Tyson went for 22 against the young Kings earlier this season, and he could well do it again. But no matter how many points he scores, he'll be steady: supporting his teammates, playing tough defense, and providing heads-up plays.

For more on Tyson, be sure to check out his Facebook page, or check him out on Twitter!

With League-Leading Efficiency, Tyson and the Knicks Win Three Straight

Excel Admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:18:05 -0500

With New York's two All-Stars sitting out, people will tell you the Knicks have no business winning games on the road. Those are the same kind of people who underestimate Tyson Chandler, who paced the Knicks on the way to their third straight victory Wednesday night.

To compensate for the absent Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks had big voids to fill in the points and rebounds department. Tyson delivered both, with a huge offensive outburst that came just two points short of his career high, and a game-high 11 rebounds. Most importantly, the Knicks got the win, beating the Wizards, 107-93, in Washington, DC.

When Tyson Chandler scores 25 points in a game, it’s usually because he's gotten most of his points around the basket. That was not the case Wednesday night in Washington. Tyson was incredibly effective from the free throw line, converting 11 of 14 from the stripe. Tyson ranks sixth amongst centers in free throw percentage this season, making him one of the most reliable scoring centers in the NBA.

Actually, calling Tyson Chandler “reliable” may be a bit of an understatement. Tyson is quietly having one of the most efficient seasons in NBA history. He leads the league in field goal percentage, shooting at a 70% clip, and if he can keep it up, this will put Tyson in some elite company. Only Wilt Chamberlain, who converted 72.7% of his attempts in 1972-73, could claim a higher field goal percentage in a single season.

But Chamberlain was always horrible from the free throw line, shooting barely over 50% for his career, so it can be argued that Tyson Chandler is actually having the most efficient scoring season in NBA history. Actually, not only can it be argued - it can be proven.

If you're ranking player seasons according to True Shooting Percentage (TS%), Tyson is on pace to break the single-season record held by Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore. TS% takes free throws, 2-point and 3-point field goals into account, and during his remarkable 1981-82 season, Gilmore had a gaudy TS% of 70.2. Tyson currently has a TS% of 74.8, which would demolish Gilmore's mark.

Tyson already ranks third in single-season TS% for his outstanding year with the Mavericks last season, but none of that matters to him right now. The Knicks have won their last three games and are back on track after some early season struggles. Point guard Jeremy Lin has the team reinvigorated, and Tyson is the first guy congratulating Lin on every play. Watch footage of Lin’s first NBA slam, and see for yourself who the first player to meet him is. (Spoiler: It's Tyson Chandler)

“I didn’t know he could dunk,” Chandler said with a smile after the game. “When he’s going in for it, I go: ‘No, Jeremy! Just lay the ball up.’ And all of a sudden he dunks it.”

It is going to be a big weekend for Tyson. The Knicks take on the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night in Madison Square Garden where Ty will match up with old foe Andrew Bynum. Tyson knows what it takes to beat the team that has won two of the last three NBA Championships, and he will have his Knicks teammates ready to make a statement with a huge win.

Tyson Keeps Pulling Down Boards, Helps Knicks Rebound Versus Detroit

Excel Admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:15:02 -0500

After returning to Madison Square Garden from a four-game road trip, Tyson Chandler led a balanced Knicks offensive attack Tuesday night with 17 points in a convincing win over the Detroit Pistons.

But before demolishing the Pistons at home, Tyson had an even bigger, more trying week, leading the Knicks through a four-game road trip. With Carmelo Anthony either playing injured or out of the lineup, Tyson brought his best effort to keep the Knicks afloat, averaging 14 points and 12 rebounds per game over that stretch. Check out some of the highlights below.

Even with several key teammates battling injuries, Tyson has led the Knicks in rebounding in four of their last five games. The 7’1” center has lived up to his reputation as one of the NBA's few dominant defensive big men, but he's also lived up to his reputation as a vocal locker room leader. After dropping three out of four on the road, Ty’s teammates needed his motivation just as much as they needed his interior defense. And that is just what they got.

"I refuse to have a losing season," Tyson said after a loss to the Cavaliers. “We have enough talent on this team, but we have to figure out how to play with one another and what it’s going to take to win games."

After getting Tyson’s vote of confidence, the Knicks came out on fire in their return to the Garden. Tyson posted eight rebounds to go with his 17 points as the Knicks crushed the Detroit Pistons, 113-86.

With the Knicks at full strength, winning games is much easier. But as Tyson will tell you, that performance comes in practice first.

“We had a really good practice of executing our plays, moving the ball and hitting the guys when they are open, making good passes and it obviously translated into tonight’s game.”

Looking Ahead

Coming off a challenging road trip, the Knicks schedule does not get any easier. Tyson and the Knicks will player their first string of three games in three nights, an abnormality necessitated by the condensed season schedule.

Ty and the Knicks will start by hosting the Eastern Conference-leading Chicago Bulls Thursday night. Rebounding advantage has been a strong indicator of the Knicks performance this season. Nearly every game New York has had the rebounding advantage, they've won. When the Knicks don't win the battle of the boards, they typically lose. This should play to Tyson's advantage however, as Ty posted a double-double in both meetings versus the Bulls last season. Another dominant rebounding night for Tyson could very well help earn the Knicks a big signature win against one of the NBA's best.

Friday, Ty and the Knicks will travel to Boston to take on the Boston Celtics. The two division rivals played each other once this season, on Christmas Day which also happened to be the first game of the season. Tyson blocked a season-high six shots in his first game as a Knick en route to the 106-104 win on December 25th.

To cap their three game stretch, New York return to Madison Square Garden on Saturday to host their cross-river rivals, Deron Williams and the New Jersey Nets.

With this Knicks team building chemistry and Tyson Chandler playing his best basketball of the season, this weekend will be a great opportunity for the Knicks to prove to the rest of the league that they are indeed championship contenders.

With the Knicks In Need of Offense, Tyson Dominates the Glass in a Knicks Win

Excel Admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:42:08 -0500

On Tuesday night in Charlotte, the Knicks played the first of four straight games on the road. With panic starting to build around their locker room after six straight losses, the team needed to snap their losing streak, and Tyson Chandler was up for the challenge.

In less than 30 minutes of action, Tyson decimated the Charlotte defense for 20 points, leading all Knicks scorers in what became a 111-78 rout of the Charlotte Bobcats. Most of Tyson's baskets came on strong moves near the rim, like the two highlights below.

“Tyson was unbelievable,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said. “I thought he was phenomenal.”

In addition to nearly flawless shooting, Tyson dominated the boards, finishing with a game-high 17 rebounds. Eight of them came on the offensive glass, leading to 21 second-chance points. As usual, Tyson framed his board work as the product of good team work.

“I think a lot of offensive rebounds came because we were attacking the rim,” Chandler said. “When we get great penetration off the pick and roll I kind of got some easy lanes. That’s the biggest help to get to the glass and get the opportunity to put it back in.”

Tonight, Tyson and the Knicks will look to build a nice winning streak on the road, visiting the 2011 #1 overall draft pick Kyrie Irving in Cleveland tonight. New York beat the Cavaliers in both meetings last year and will look to continue that same dominance tonight at 7pm EST. See you there!

Tyson Key to Knicks Latest Win Streak

Excel Admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:34:41 -0500

Whether he is called upon for his offense, his defense, or both, Tyson Chandler has been there when the Knicks needed him most this past week.

Tyson’s stellar play has New York riding a three-game winning streak. The Knicks' latest victim was the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers last night, and before they took down their division rivals, the Knicks rode a huge game from Tyson to revenge over the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday. It took all of Tyson’s 20 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks and three steals to earn a 91-87 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats. After the game, Tyson wasn’t shy about how good he thinks this New York Knicks team is.

“There’s going to be definitely nights where we’ve got to lean on our defense," Tyson said, "but I think once we start clicking we’ll be in the upper 100s and these games will be blowouts.”

Tuesday marked the second time this season Tyson eclipsed 20 points, with the first coming New Year’s Eve in Sacramento. Although Tyson isn’t relied upon to carry the offense very often, he’s always ready to handle some of the load when his team needs him.

“I just want to draw traffic. If the defense doesn't honor me, I'll finish at the rim. If I draw traffic then it opens up shots. Amar'e's doing a great job at filling it and I just want to loosen up things for him and our shooters,” said Tyson. “I just want to catch the defense off guard. In this league, a guy gets a couple dunks and then the big guy doesn't want to help anymore.”

In other words, dunks like this:

For their first game against the division-leading Philadelphia 76ers, the Knicks didn’t need a big game offensively from Tyson, but they did need every one of his game-high 12 rebounds to hold on in the fourth quarter. The win, which brought the Knicks within one game of first place in the division, further fueled Tyson’s optimism about his Knicks team.

“I’m just excited about the way the defense is playing,” Tyson said, clearly pleased that they'd held the league’s best offense to only 79 points.

Tonight, Tyson and the Knicks take on the Memphis Grizzlies at the Garden. While you’re waiting for tip off, fill out an All-Star ballot and vote Tyson to be the eastern conference’s starting center!

Tyson’s Play, Words Guide Knicks to an Undefeated Weekend

Excel Admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:14:01 -0500

Following two straight home losses last week, Tyson helped right the New York Knicks ship en route to a pair of wins this weekend.

Facing back-to-back games on the road following two straight home lesses, Tyson was especially vocal heading into the weekend in an important time of the season. As the only player on the current Knicks roster to win an NBA championship, Tyson knows what it takes both physically and mentally to be an elite basketball team.

"We're having way too many breakdowns. You just can't play like that,” said Tyson. “We have to buckle down mentally and try to accomplish it that way.”

Buckle down they did. New York earned a close victory in Washington on Friday night, and Tyson was ferocious on the boards, gathering a game-high 15 rebounds to go along with his 12 points in a 99-96 victory over the Wizards.

The following night, the Knicks continued their surge, defeating the Detroit Pistons 103-80. The win marked their largest margin of victory of the young season. Tyson did his part, nearly notching his fourth double-double of the season, scoring ten points and grabbing nine rebounds in only 29 minutes.

After the game, Tyson expressed how pleased he was with his teammates and the adjustments the Knicks made from one game to the next.

“It’s a growing process. These games are coming fast and we’re a young team coming together and we’re learning one another. We’re able to break down film, see our mistakes and come out and execute it.” Tyson said. “We broke down the mistakes that we made in the Washington Wizards game. We did some positive things. Tonight I felt like we put together four quarters.”

With all that Tyson brings to his team both on the court and off, he certainly needs to be recognized for his efforts. What better way than to vote for Tyson to be an NBA All-Star? Don’t forget to vote for Tyson to make his first NBA All-Star game. When you’re done, drop by his Twitter or Facebook page and let Ty know he’s got your vote!

Tyson Eligible For the 2011-12 All Star Team as a Knick

Excel Admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:44:36 -0500

With every shot he swaps, every alley-oop he finishes, and every defensive rotation he makes, Tyson Chandler has endeared himself to Knicks fans.

The impact has been significant enough that Tyson was named to the 2011-12 NBA All-Star Ballot.

Voting opened at 12:15pm (EST) this afternoon, and will run through the end of January. Back in the Eastern Conference, Tyson is up against big men like Dwight Howard, Roy Hibbert and Al Horford. Vote for him here.

In First Week, Tyson Chandler Making an Impact as a Knick

Excel Admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:27:18 -0500

Tyson Chandler’s arrival in New York has the Knicks exactly where they wanted to be after the first week of the regular season: first place in their division.

Making his Knicks debut on Christmas day, Tyson swatted a game-high six shots en route to an opening day win over the rival Boston Celtics.

“Tyson does an unbelievable job of not letting up easy shots,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He stands straight up [to contest shots]. That’s something we didn’t always have before.”

The Knicks have been missing a quality defensive presence since Patrick Ewing retired. But Tyson’s shot-blocking ability, however, is something New York fans may have never seen before in a Knicks uniform. At times, Tyson’s defense is so dominant that Knicks fans don’t even know what they’re watching!

Capping off a year in which he won both a gold medal and an NBA championship, Tyson finished 2011 with a bang, putting on a show almost as large as the one in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

Though mostly known for his defense, Tyson was just as unstoppable with the ball in his hands Saturday night, decimating Sacramento's front court defense, getting to the free throw line at will and converting each of his 10 free throw attempts. The Knicks man in the middle finished with a season-high 22 points and seven rebounds.

As usual, Tyson added a little flair to his big night, throwing down some of his patented monster slam dunks.

As impactful as Tyson has been in New York, though, his contributions to the Dallas Mavericks are still being felt. Watch the Mavericks faithful give Tyson a special shout-out during the team's championship banner ceremony in Dallas.

Check out Tyson and the Knicks on NBA League Pass, or just send him a message yourself at Tyson’s Twitter page or on his Facebook page.

Preview: Tyson and the 2011-12 Knicks

Excel Admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:24:22 -0500

After a long offseason, Tyson Chandler is back on the basketball court.

But instead of suiting up for the team he helped bring an NBA championship to last season, Tyson will be playing for one of the most storied franchises in the NBA’s history: the New York Knicks.

That’s right, after taking over Twitter for a day, Tyson agreed to a four year contract to play in the Big Apple.

While Tyson was winning a championship last spring, the Knicks brass was watching from home after being swept in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. New York’s lack of size down low was exposed in that series, being outrebounded by nearly 10 rebounds per game in three of their playoff losses.

Chandler's nearly 10 rebounds per game in the NBA Finals made him a logical fit to be New York’s man in the middle, and the Knicks pursued him heavily. In order to make room for Tyson's new contract, New York shocked the league by releasing 5-time NBA All-Star point guard Chauncey Billups from their roster.

Tyson's selfless approach to the game of basketball has league analysts buzzing about what Chandler’s presence will do to improve the Knicks and make his new superstar teammates, Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, even more dominant. Here’s what the insiders are saying about Tyson Chandler’s impact will be on New York:

“The addition adds up for New York. They need a defensive presence badly, and Amar'e Stoudemire (coming off a killer year) will thrive playing alongside Chandler.” - Kelly Dwyer, Ball Don't Lie

“Chandler should also prove to be a godsend for the Knicks on the glass, where New York ranked 24th and 26th in offensive and defensive rebounding rates, respectively. Chandler was elite in both regards last season.” - Rob Mahoney, New York Times

“In Tyson Chandler, New York has a perfect complement to Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire. Chandler is an elite back line defender, and his presence alone will go a long way toward revamping what was the league’s 22nd-ranked defense last season.” - Rob Mahoney, NYT

“Chandler will bring the Knicks immediate impact and immediate gravitas. He teams with Amar’e Stoudemire to give the Knicks one of the league’s most formidable frontcourts, and allows Stoudemire to shift permanently to the 4, without having to tinker with the pivot as he had to do more than occasionally a year ago.” - Mike Vaccaro, New York Post

It certainly looks like Ty and the Knicks will be doing big things this year. With the season opening Christmas day against Boston, the team that eliminated the Knicks from the playoffs last season, Tyson will have an opportunity to quickly display his skills which had the Knicks chomping at the bit to acquire him.

Take a look at some of the huge games Tyson will be participating in this season, including his matchup against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, and his Finals rematch with Lebron James and the Miami Heat. While you’re waiting for the season to begin, drop by Tyson’s Twitter and Facebook pages and show him some love for the upcoming season. See you on Christmas day, Chandler fans!

• December 25 vs. Boston Celtics – Tyson’s first regular season game as a New York Knick

• December 29 at L.A. Lakers – Tyson, the latest piece of the "most dominant" front line in the NBA faces off against one of the most dominant front lines in the West

• January 27 at Miami Heat – Tyson’s first game against Miami since beating them in last year's NBA Finals

• February 2 vs Chicago Bulls – Tyson’s first game as a Knick versus the team he began his career with

• February 19 vs Dallas Mavericks – Tyson’s first game against his former team

• March 6 at Dallas Mavericks – Tyson returns to Dallas for the first time since winning the NBA Championship

• April 25 vs L.A. Clippers – Tyson faces friend and former teammate Chris Paul who attempted to reunite with Tyson this offseason

VIDEO: Tyson Experiencing the New York Art World

Excel Admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:59:51 -0500

Tyson takes it all in, in New York City.

One of the peculiarities of being a star basketball player is you're often followed around by cameramen.

In this case, a film crew from DimeTV, the web video division of basketball publication Dime Magazine, spent the day with Tyson Chandler as he dove into New York City's world-famous art and fashion industries.

Over the course of a packed day that included trips to the offices of clothier Joseph Abboud, the Novogratz home and several art galleries, Tyson discusses his changing thoughts on art, the passion of Dallas Mavericks' fans, and more. It also includes Tyson's reaction to the Tyson Chandler zine that Ari Marcopoulos published recently.

Check out the video below.

DimeTV - Tyson Chandler in New York City from Dime Magazine on Vimeo.

NY Times: With Chandler at Center, the Knicks’ Defense Gets an Infusion of Grit

Excel Admin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:58:43 -0500

Since Tyson's trade to the New York Knicks was finalized toward the end of last week, there's been a flurry of coverage and attention from the New York media.

New York journalists have covered the trade from a variety of angles, but one of the most thorough pieces, written by Howard Beck, ran over the weekend in The New York Times.

In it, Beck gets to the heart of why the Knicks fought so hard to acquire Chandler, an NBA All-Star and Champion:

Chandler pushes them undisputably closer to contention. He will be Stoudemire and Anthony's safety net, as well as their conscience.

"We got to build to become a great defensive team," Chandler said. "It takes time."

Read the rest of the piece here, and follow Tyson on Twitter for the latest on his new team.

Tyson Chandler Inks Deal With the New York Knicks

Excel Admin — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 14:58:39 -0500

On Saturday, December 10, Tyson Chandler officially signed with the New York Knicks during the second day of training camp.

With the ink barely dry on his new contract, Chandler made his first appearance at Madison Square Garden Training Center and got down to business at practice.

Of course, Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony were also in attendance, the other two pieces in what Chandler called "the best front line in the NBA."

After the impromptu photo shoot concluded, Chandler got to work, practicing his shooting with Knicks Assistant Coach Herb Williams.

Knicks Now | Chandler Inks Deal

Tyson Immortalized in An Ari Marcopoulos Zine, Profiled in WSJ

Excel Admin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:36:15 -0500

Fans display their love of their favorite players in all kinds of ways: they buy their jerseys and sneakers, they copy their haircuts or tattoos, they choose their numbers when playing sports on their local teams.

But recently, the artist Ari Marcopoulos decided to celebrate Tyson Chandler in a very unusual way: by making a zine.

Marcopoulos, a well-known photographer whose work has been displayed in the Whitney, became interested in Tyson's play during the Mavericks' series-clinching Game 6 victory over the Miami Heat in the 2010 NBA Finals. After the game was over, he decided to celebrate him using a medium he'd grown affectionate for in the 1980s.

As is typical of zines, a very limited number of copies was produced. But during his recent trip to New York City, Tyson became aware of the zine's existence, and he was so honored that he personally contacted Marcopoulos and asked him to make some more copies for his friends and family.

Check out this Twitpic of Tyson looking at his own zine, and read more about this unusual story at the Wall Street Journal, in Interview Magazine and on Ball Don't Lie.

Tyson Interviewed By Global Grind

Excel Admin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:38:04 -0500

If you follow Tyson on Facebook, you know that he recently made a trip to New York City.

Tyson had to head to the Big Apple for some business, including a trip to the offices of iconic menswear designer Joseph Abboud (where the above picture was taken) to see about the possibility of designing his own clothes for his line.

Shortly after that meeting, he spoke with a reporter from Global Grind about the problem of honing your fashion sense when you're seven feet tall, the lockout, and his growing interest in painting. Check out the interview here, and be sure to follow Tyson on Facebook and Twitter to keep him on your radar.

VIDEO: Tyson On Your Friends Will Never Believe You

Excel Admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:33:07 -0500

Tyson Chandler has taken the opportunity to spread his wings this fall. We've covered Tyson's exploits in previous posts, and this week we're happy to bring you another achievement: his debut on Yahoo! Screen.

For those of you unfamiliar, Yahoo! Screen is Yahoo!'s original web video programming channel. And with his appearance on the series Your Friends Will Never Believe You, Tyson joins the ranks of mega-stars like Joe Jonas, Greyson Chance and Lance Bass who appear in settings that their fans would never expect to find them in.

Check out the video at the link below, and be sure to share it with your friends!

Your Friends Will Never Believe You - Tyson Chandler

VIDEO: Tyson Interviewed on ESPN's Outside the Lines

Excel Admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:32:05 -0400

In just a few months, Tyson Chandler has become one of the mouthpieces of the Dallas Mavericks.

While Tyson was playing a pivotal role in the Mavs' exhilarating championship run this past summer, Dallas sports reporters learned just how thoughtful, articulate and insightful a person he is. Since then, Tyson's talked with everybody from ESPN Dallas columnists to the Sports Guy himself, Bill Simmons, about a whole host of issues.

Part one of the segment is streaming now, and be sure to check it out on ESPN when it airs.

Tyson to Travel the Globe As Part of A Premier All-Star Exhibition

Excel Admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:56:21 -0400

Like all other NBA players, Tyson Chandler is doing his best to stay busy during the ongoing NBA lockout, playing pickup games in LA, doing Funny or Die videos with his friends, and helping out local foundations as best he can.

So when he was recently invited to play in some exhibition games with some of the finest basketball players in the world, Tyson embraced it.

In a recent interview with ESPN Dallas, Tyson talked about the opportunity to play in a half-dozen exhibition games with Hall of Fame-caliber players including Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Amar'e Stoudemire, Blake Griffin, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo. He also discussed the NBA lockout.

Connect with Tyson on Twitter to hear more about the exhibition games and what he's up to!

Watch Tyson Chandler's Funny or Die Debut!

Excel Admin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:22:06 -0400

NBA Lockout: Lock-In from Tyson Chandler

Not everybody knows this, but Tyson Chandler is pretty natural in front of a camera.

Some of you may have noticed it when Tyson was a guest judge at Miss USA 2011, but delivering lines of dialogue is a whole new game. And Tyson pretty much nails it in his Funny or Die debut, looking natural and funny in this very unusual situation.

Listen to Tyson's Appearance on the B.S. Report

Excel Admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:42:41 -0400

A couple days ago, Tyson joined Bill Simmons on the B.S. Report, the biggest sports podcast on the Internet.

Tyson and Bill spent 45 minutes talking about Tyson's experience winning the NBA Finals, what he learned from getting drafted straight out of high school, what he thinks about the lockout, and more.

The podcast went live yesterday afternoon, so head over here to stream or download it.

For more on the interview, check out the introduction on Grantland.

VIDEO: Watch Tyson Deliver Food and Essentials in His Hometown

Excel Admin — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 11:49:52 -0400

NBA star Tyson Chandler was in Hanford recently to help pass out food and essentials to local families in need.

Chandler, who lived in Hanford in his early youth, teamed up with Feed the Children for the event held Friday afternoon at Golden Harvest Apostolic Church in South Hanford.

On Friday, Tyson Chandler returned to his hometown of Hanford, CA to give back to the community. Chandler teamed up with Feed the Children and The Salvation Army for a food giveaway at the Golden Harvest Apostolic Church in Hanford's Home Garden neighborhood.

The event was a huge success, with a line of cars stretching over two blocks, not to mention all of the people gathered on foot.

Tyson greeted fans, signed autographs and handed out food packets and essential supplies to needy families.

http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/article_cd1a1ca6-c1d4-11e0-8d3...

http://www.ksee24.com/news/video/DMA--127058018.html

LINK: ESPN - Tyson Chandler, Speaking Freely (August 4, 2011)

Excel Admin — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:35:09 -0400

Tyson recently did a Q&A with Henry Abbott, the leader of ESPN's TrueHoop Network. Tyson and Henry talked about things like Tyson's charity work, the lockout, and the bond he shares with his Mavericks teammates.

Click here to check out the entire interview.

VIDEO: Tyson on ESPN's The Next Round with Scoop Jackson

Excel Admin — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:00:11 -0400

Fresh off his NBA Championship, Tyson Chandler sat down with ESPN's Scoop Jackson on The Next Round on Sunday night.

He talked about the lockout, how he felt about winning the championship, the LA Dodgers and why Major League Baseball needs someone like Charlie Sheen. Here are the highlights.

Tyson on the Lockout:

“With any business, you're gonna have losses. I think it comes down to business decisions. You know, I feel like you make the proper business decisions, you make money.”

On his NBA Championship:

"I think the best way to describe it...I was watching the hockey commercial during the Stanley Cup and it kept showing different legends and past guys who won championships, and they caught them right afterwards and they asked... 'How Do you Feel?'...speechless. That's how you feel. But if you go and try to describe it, you really can't believe that this is actually happening."

Responding to Scoop's question: Can LA survive without the Dodgers?

"No. The Dodgers make LA. You know, we lost the football franchise, I think the city is still hurting from it. The people here bleed blue."

On baseball:

"I love hitters. I just love the swag of a hitter. When he hits the home run, drops the bat and then goes into his trot...you gotta appreciate that, man."

VIDEO: Tyson Judges The 2011 Miss USA Pageant

Excel Admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:16:35 -0400

NBA World Champion Tyson Chandler in Las Vegas for Miss USA 2011.