Tyson Chandler Makes the New York Knicks Title Contenders

When we last saw the New York Knicks on a basketball court, they were humiliated, intimidated and thoroughly outplayed by the aging Boston Celtics in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, losing 4-0.

It was a tragic scene for Knicks fans who have not seen consistent winning days since Patrick Ewing was summarily sent packing in 2000.

At the time of last year's Celtics debacle and comeuppance, the Knicks were comprised of a pessimistic coach, Mike D'Antoni, who had no idea—and still doesn't—about defense; two stars, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, who were providing neither leadership nor cohesiveness; and a front office that appeared directionless.

If you can believe it, the acquisition of one seven-foot center by the name of Tyson Chandler changes all of that.

Chandler brings the defense, leadership and direction the Knickerbockers did not have last year. In a word, Tyson Chandler brings attitude. Just as Dave Debusschere did when he became the essential piece to the 1969 and 1973 NBA champion New York Knicks teams, with 1973 being the last instance the Knicks were NBA title holders.

Debusschere, one of the NBA's 50 greatest, brought more offense than Chandler does, but today's Knicks don't need as much offense from Chandler as those Knicks needed from Debusschere. What the 2011-2012 New York Knicks need and will get from Chandler is a fight-to-the-last-rebound mentality.

The New York Knicks have also added a defensive coaching specialist, Mike Woodson, a former NBA head coach himself, who will immensely aid the team's cause.

But no coach can do what unique players can do. And in this case, Tyson Chandler's special gift is a warrior's presence underneath the backboards and in his own team's locker room.

All told, Chandler, along with Stoudemire and Anthony, present literally big problems for opposing squads because all of them can now play naturally per position.

Stoudemire will especially find relief, as he can return to his normal power forward slot, thereby no longer having to bang with centers stronger and taller than he is, wearing himself out in the process.

Carmelo Anthony can worry less about rebounding and can concentrate more on guarding his man and cheating in the passing lanes.

With Chandler around, roaming the Madison Square Garden “paint,” the Knicks' two all-stars will have much more energy for their forte, which is offense.

Notably, in the Eastern Conference in 2011, elite teams are relatively few and dubious. The revamped New York Knicks have an open field to play with.

For example, the Miami Heat are haunted by self-imposed demons of expectation. Who knows if they are over their own angst. Further, no one is picking the over-the-hill Boston Celtics. And while the Chicago Bulls are a very good team, they have multiple question marks, such as one Carlos Boozer.

Other than their three lead characters, the New York Knicks have interesting pieces in sturdy second-year guard Toney Douglas, 6'5" rookie guard Iman Shumpert and newly acquired Baron Davis, a career 14-point scorer. Moreover, the Knicks have adopted an aggressive profile, continually looking to improve themselves.

With this disposition, and with in-place buffers so that Mike D'Antoni doesn't self-destruct the team, the Knicks will only be better by, say, February 2012, or somewhere around midseason.

But with or without more upgrades, the Knicks can be optimistic about competing with the NBA's best, because with Tyson Chandler, they are now a two-way basketball team.

According to NYDailyNews.com, coach Mike D'Antoni honestly confesses:

"

[Tyson Chandler] brings everything that we didn’t have. And it will shore up our defense, our rebounding. He’s a great teammate, the intangibles are off the chart. He’s a great complement for Melo and Amar’e with defending. He’s improved his offense every year. His foul shooting is in the 70's (73.2% last season) now. He finishes at the rim, catches and finishes, and he won a championship [with the Dallas Mavericks last year]. There are a lot of intangibles that he’s going to bring. We got a lot better real quick.

"

Tyson Chandler himself astutely recognizes this in a Washington Post article: "I feel like if we’re as committed as we say we are to winning a championship and [are] really going after that dream, then we’ll be committed on the defensive end, because that’s the only way you can get it done."

Truly the Knicks have a new leader and a new direction.