Tyson Chandler thinks new recruits have been a big part of Knicks’ success so far this NBA season
Tyson Chandler has been the rock which has held the New York Knicks offence together ever since the centre landed at Madison Square Garden in the off season of 2011. His hustle and intensity on the D earned him the ‘Defensive player
of the Year’ title last year, over the likes of Dwight Howard, and this season as well, he is filling in stats at a canter.
So far, the seven foot one star has averaged 12.2 points per game on a 71.3 percent shooting from the floor, and has also hauled 8.9 rebounds in nearly 30 minutes of action. However, unlike last season, he is having a lot of help
from his team mates as well. There has been a definite change of culture at the Knicks. Under Mike Woodson, they seem comfortable and are putting more effort on defence. That shows in their 12-4 start to the season.
While Carmelo Anthony and his improved selfless style of play has been one major reason for the Knicks’ improved showing, Chandler feels that the impact of the new recruits has been as phenomenal. Talking to Boomer and Carton on
WFAN in New York recently, the centre said;
“Well I think it’s a combination. I think having the time to have a true training camp and also having time to practice and implement our defensive strategy, as well as offense, and also the acquisitions we made this summer — Bringing
in Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton, Pablo Prigioni, Rasheed Wallace. They were huge pickups for us and really changed the outlook of our team — Marcus Camby as well.”
When asked about the rivalry between the Knicks and new neighbours Brooklyn Nets, to whom his side lost in overtime in the first ever game, Chandler seemed intent on payback;
“I care about losing. I don’t like to lose to anybody — a rivalry or whatever. I’m not still caught up into that to be honest with you, but I have a bad taste after that loss and I am looking forward to playing them again.”
The most important thing for the Knicks at this point is to maintain consistency. They have had the tendency to lose the plot in the last two season, and that is something Woodson, Melo and Chandler will need to be wary of.
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