Tyson Chandler agrees terms with the New York Knicks; Thanks Dallas Mavericks – NBA News
Free agent centre Tyson Chandler has agreed terms with the New York Knicks after rejecting offers from other teams, including former outfit the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks had offered Chandler a one year contract worth around $20 million, but they wanted to keep the cap space free for next summer in anticipation of some top free agents, which prompted Chandler to look for a deal elsewhere.
Chandler joined the Mavericks last summer after years of underachievement at various other franchises. The 7-foot-1 centre though fit in perfectly with the Mavericks, complementing front court partner Dirk Nowitzki’s attacking
prowess with some stellar defensive displays.
Chandler and the Mavericks ended up winning the NBA World Championship last season, overcoming almost insurmountable odds to topple strong favourites Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
Tyson wanted his love affair to continue with Dallas, but also knew that the financial realities meant that it wasn’t a feasible relationship over time. He has therefore decided to try his luck now with the Knicks, but said he
harbours no ill feeling towards his former team. In fact, the centre thanked Dallas for giving him a chance last season and spoke of his undying love for everyone associated with the franchise.
"I just honestly thank the Mavericks for even bringing me [to Dallas] and giving me the opportunity to do what we did last year. I have absolutely no animosity towards the organization or anybody involved with the organization.
I will always love the organization. I will always love the fans there and everybody that has anything to do with Dallas, because that won me my first championship. We had an incredible year last year, and that will always be in my heart." He said in an interview
published by ESPN.
The Mavericks roster last season looked like a grouping of has been super stars and misfits from around the league, but the group found strength in each other and built a very strong camaraderie over the course of the season.
It was the brotherhood within the group and the players’ belief in each other that helped them overcome all the challenges put in front of them to clinch the NBA championship. Tyson therefore revealed that the hardest part of moving
to New York would be to say goodbye to all the friends he made in Dallas.
"The most difficult thing is having to make those phone calls to Dirk and (Jason) Kidd and Jet and all the guys that I played with," Chandler said.
The star though is set to be welcomed by another group of players who are looking to clinch the NBA World Championship and write their own names in the annals of NBA history. Will Tyson once again prove to be the magic ingredient
is what remains to be seen?
Tags: