Tyson Chandler played 3 seasons for the New York Knicks.
The Knicks are one of the most popular franchises in the Association, with a lineage of NBA legends woven throughout the team’s history. Despite numerous iconic players who have donned the blue and orange, only one Knick has been voted the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Tyson Chandler – 1 time (2012)
Chandler had received Defensive Player of the Year votes in four previous seasons, finishing as high as No. 3 in 2011 before finally taking home the honor in 2012. The 7-footer barely edged out Serge Ibaka for the award, earning 45 first-place votes, to Ibaka’s 41, including a total of 311 out of 605 possible points. Ironically, Chandler earned just All-NBA Defensive Second Team honors during this campaign, while also making the All-NBA Third Team.
During the season, he just missed out on averaging a double-double, putting up 11.3 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. He also averaged 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals. Chandler’s defensive prowess in the paint helped him earn 3.6 Defensive Win Shares. That, along with his efficient and league-leading 67.9% shooting, led to him finishing fifth in total Win Shares, just behind surefire Naismith Memorial Hall of Famers like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Chris Paul.
In all, Chandler spent three seasons with the Knicks, from 2011 to 2014, a span that also saw him make the All-Star team in 2014 and achieve All-NBA Defensive First Team status in the same season. Before arriving in New York, he won an NBA Championship with the Mavericks in 2011 and spent several years with the Bulls and Hornets franchises. He would go on to spend 3-plus seasons in Phoenix before short stints with the Lakers and Rockets, leading to his retirement from his playing career. Most recently, Chandler has been a player development coach for the Mavericks.
