NBA Free Agents 2011: Why Tyson Chandler to the Knicks Is the Best FA Pickup Yet

Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler on the same team?  Heck yes!  Oh wait, I forgot to tell you that Carmelo Anthony is also on that team.  I want to start hearing the "big three" talk about the New York Knicks now that Tyson Chandler has apparently signed with the team, according to ESPN.

I know a lot of Knicks fans will be sad at the thought of having to let go of point guard Chauncey Billups to make room on the roster and financially for Tyson Chandler, but it is without a doubt in the Knicks' best interest.  

Losing Chauncey Billups means a loss in average production of around 15.4 points per game and around 5.4 assists per game.  Lucky for the Knicks, replacing that production will be as simple as giving Carmelo Anthony more offensive touches every time down the court.

Honestly, losing Billups will mean more from a leadership perspective than from a production perspective for the Knicks.  Billups was the one Knicks player who actually won an NBA championship.  It is always advantageous for a team to have a veteran leader who knows what it takes to be an NBA champion.

By letting Billups go, the Knicks made room for another, more recent NBA champion to join the roster—Tyson Chandler.

Tyson Chandler won his first NBA championship last year with the Dallas Mavericks and he will bring that champion mentality to the New York Knicks.

Tyson Chandler brings to the Knicks what they've been missing since their glory days with Patrick Ewing—a dominant and strong presence at center.  I know Amare Stoudemire can technically play the center position, but everyone knows that he is more comfortable at the power forward spot and he will put that on display this season. 

Another key aspect of Chandler's game that the Knicks will absolutely benefit from is the toughness he brings to the court—one thing the Knicks lacked last year.  Aside from Stoudemire, the Knicks were a very weak team; adding the grittiness and physical strength of Chandler will change that.

To compete in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks need to be physical, especially on the defensive side of the ball.  Chandler will bring that physicality and he will be able to lock down players like Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, Chris Bosh and Carlos Boozer.  Chandler locking down the likes of those players will allow Stoudemire to enter into mismatches on defense, which will increase his performance as well.

The mismatches brought about by Chandler won't only be on the defensive side of the ball.  Having 7'1'' Chandler in the center position will force teams into defensive mismatches with offensive powerhouse Amare Stoudemire, and he will be glad to expose those.  

Thanks to Chandler, Stoudemire will undoubtedly have a career year, averaging a double-double of around 27.5 ppg and 10.1 rpg.  Mark my words, if Stoudemire stays healthy, he will have a career-best year with the New York Knicks.

Now getting back to losing Billups for one second, it will be interesting to see who the Knicks replace him with.  Will they replace him with a player on their roster like guard Toney Douglas or Andy Rautins (I'd like to see that), or will they try to add a veteran point guard like Allen Iverson for low cost through free agency?

Only time will tell, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Knicks' starting lineup come Christmas day looks something like this; PG Allen Iverson, SG Bill Walker, SF Carmelo Anthony, PF Amare Stoudemire and C Tyson Chandler. 

With Chandler on the roster, look for the Knicks to be one of the most dominant defensive teams in the NBA this season, which will easily put them into the NBA playoffs.  

I don't know if adding Chandler will make the Knicks a championship-caliber team, but it will undoubtedly put them into the conversation and for that, Knicks front office, we thank you.