Chandler knows: Can't spell Garden without 'D'
Former Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler answers a question during a news conference announcing his acquisition by the New York Knicks. (Dec. 10, 2011) Credit: AP
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- When Tyson Chandler heard the first call from the Knicks, it might as well have been in the form of the "Dee-Fense'' chant.
In the past, this trademark battle cry was a roar of encouragement, but lately at Madison Square Garden, it has been a desperate plea. And in recruiting Chandler, it was a cry for help.
"That's my first goal, is to get everybody thinking defense,'' the 7-1 center said Saturday afternoon at MSG Training Center. "We know you can play offense . . . but defensively, I want us to buckle down.''
Chandler, the new Madison Square Guardian, was officially introduced after the Knicks completed a three-team sign-and-trade to acquire him from the Mavericks. To make room for his four-year, $56-million contract under the salary cap, the Knicks first waived Chauncey Billups with their amnesty provision. Then center Ronny Turiaf, a 2013 second-round pick and cash considerations were ship- ped to the Wizards, which help- ed create more space, and Andy Rautins was moved to Dallas, which sent a 2012 second-round pick to Washington and the rights to European-based players Ahmad Nivins and Giorgos Printezis to the Knicks.
It completed a surprising move that started as a concept suggested by Chandler's agent, Jeff Schwartz, last week. Chandler was on the verge of signing with the Warriors before the Knicks became a reality. "The chance to play in New York City alongside two great players is just something I couldn't pass up,'' he said of Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. "That is exactly it. If these two guys were somewhere else, I wouldn't be there, in all honesty.''
Said interim GM Glen Grunwald, "This deal came together pretty quickly. It is a crazy start to the season, but I think it's been a very successful one.''
Grunwald is expected to sign free-agent point guard Mike Bibby to a one-year veteran's- minimum contract for $1.4 million Sunday. Grunwald also is dangling the "room exception'' (two years, $5 million) to several free-agent candidates, including point guard J.J. Barea and former Knick Jamal Crawford.
Rookie deals for 2011 first-rounder Iman Shumpert, 2011 second-rounder Josh Harrellson and 2010 second-rounder Jerome Jordan are expected to be completed Sunday, along with a one-year veteran's-minimum deal for Jared Jeffries. That will give Mike D'Antoni a full roster at the NBA-minimum 13 players.
D'Antoni is beaming about his front line, which he said is "as good or better than anybody in the league.'' With Anthony and Stoudemire handling the scoring, Chandler said his role is simple: "My job is to try and make their life easier.'' It's also to focus on the ingredient that has been missing for years: defense.
"I understand the tradition of New York City and what it's about. I understand what the fans want to see,'' he said. "They love grit and they love defense, and they love players playing with heart and passion. That's the reason why I love playing at Madison Square Garden: I feel like they appreciate my game.
"I just want this team to not only be able to bring the flash and the flair on the offensive end but get down, buckle down and get some stops when needed.''
The Dolan family owns
controlling interests in the Knicks, MSG and Cablevision. Cablevision owns Newsday.
