Tyson Chandler to win Defensive Player of the Year

[SkyLine03LT]

When Wilt shot 65% and 73% in his last two seasons he only took 7-9 shots a game. In an era when teams took 30 more shots a game than ones today.

My point is that Chandler is a great defender and would find a spot on any team (except the Lakers and Orlando) and would provide them with good play for his role, but let's not blow this out of proportion and just leave it to that.

So Tyson Chandler would start for any team in the league except for the lone two with the two best players at his position? So where's the "blowing things out proportion"?

By "blowing things out of proportion" I meant calling him a superstar and comparing him to Wilt. It's like comparing Joe Johnson to Michael Jordan. And another thing is that they were Wilt's last two seasons while Tyson Chandler is in his prime, so if he was anywhere near Wilt's level he'd be taking at least 20 shots and the Knicks would have little need for Amare.

[benji]

We can start by noting that we have to define "superstar" to debate whether Chandler is one or not.

But comparing him to Wilt is not blowing things out of proportion. If you discount Chandler's inability to pass he's basically the modern day version of the last days of Wilt. When Wilt got to Los Angeles (and in some respects when he got to that great Sixers team) he was tired of jacking 30 shots a game and settled into a role where he hit the boards, anchored the defense and threw down dunks and putbacks. That's what Chandler does and does in the equivalent role and quality for today's game. Wilt couldn't compare to Kareem but he was still a dominant center despite only taking very few shots a game.

Chandler may not be the total package Dwight or Bynum are, but as you admit, that still puts him in an elite class where he'd start for 28.5 of the 30 teams in the league. That's part of why he deserves to be in the MVP conversation probably more than he does in the DPOY conversation.

[Lamrock]

His offense definitely is shockingly underrated but the Knicks' record didn't improve over last season's, while their defensive rating did. There are other factors I know, but given what a joke New York was defensively last year, it's worthy of consideration.

[benji]

I'm not trying to say Chandler did not improve that defense, but you can stick Dwight Howard on the Bobcats and improve that defense. He still might not be the dominant defensive player in the league in that lone season.

I've come around to where I like to try to get into the numbers and suss out who did the most THAT year. Dwight is the best player every year. Chandler is up there. So on. But the Knicks did implement a defensive system when Melo was gone and Lin was going, that wasn't just Chandler. He was the anchor but they had Shumpdagod and other parts making that work and shockingly kept it up all year.

That doesn't discount a DPOY for the anchor, KG in 2008, Duncan so many times (despite not winning the award), Dwight, etc.

Now you know I want my numbers, and I'm just eyeballing b-r and comparing historically right now, but I think there may be a legit case for other players being the biggest individual defensive player this year. I don't mind Chandler winning, my comments on him were actually more that he's getting painted one way when he does a lot of things on the court that are super valuable. This is actually part of why I'm sorta doing my numbers on time this year because Dwight isn't the end all be all monster. I want all my disgusting counterpart data into the fray.

I can say this with confidence. The DPOY is definitely not on the Bobcats.

[Andrew]

I can say this with confidence. The DPOY is definitely not on the Bobcats.

Oh, no?

phpBB [video]

Such defense accounted for a whole seventh of the Bobcats' wins this season. You can't argue with that kind of impact!

In all seriousness, it was a nice block. I might just pass on the idea of him winning DPOY, though.

As far as Chandler being a superstar, I'd say not. I think that kind of title needs to be reserved for the league's best and most prominent players, which doesn't really describe Tyson Chandler. That's not a knock on Chandler, it's just that the bar is set very high in a league that includes the likes of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul and the rest of their ilk. I'd say he's arguably a borderline All-Star, certainly as significant a role player as anyone in the league, a key player anywhere in the league.

[shadowgrin]

what was ariza thinking, cmon now. you tried to dunk on a dude that was drafted off of shot blocking alone. to tie the game?
ldre21

[Andrew]

I'd still rather he go for the dunk or layup with such an open path to the rim, rather than settling for the jumpshot.

[uly]

i still don't agree with chandler wining the defensive player.. as for me a defensive player will also influence his team mates to play defense. just like garnett when he 1st arrived at the Celtics team.. or defensive players will really come from a team that really limit its opponent..

[SkyLine03LT]

i still don't agree with chandler wining the defensive player.. as for me a defensive player will also influence his team mates to play defense. just like garnett when he 1st arrived at the Celtics team.. or defensive players will really come from a team that really limit its opponent..

You mean play good team defense when you're coached by Mike D'Antoni? Why don't you dance on a rainbow and visit Santa on a unicorn while you're at it.

[Andrew]

i still don't agree with chandler wining the defensive player.. as for me a defensive player will also influence his team mates to play defense. just like garnett when he 1st arrived at the Celtics team.. or defensive players will really come from a team that really limit its opponent..

Defensive Player of the Year recognises an individual for their standout defensive performance. In any event, the Knicks were better defensively this year, thanks in no small part to Chandler's presence, making him a worthy candidate on both counts.

[uly]

that's what I'm taking about..it seems useless to have that award then your team is still struggling.. I'm referring to Ben wallace when he won the defensive player.. they are a defensive minded team. and kevin garnett who turns the celtics in to a strong defensive team..I'm just siting that i think the most deserving for the crown is the player that influence the team to play defense.. well the 2nd to the voting is ibaka.. and i think he is more deserving than chandler..

[benji]

I'm just siting that i think the most deserving for the crown is the player that influence the team to play defense.. well the 2nd to the voting is ibaka.. and i think he is more deserving than chandler..

The Knicks went from 22nd defensively to 5th. Chandler played the most minutes.

[uly]

[koberulz]

I'm just siting that i think the most deserving for the crown is the player that influence the team to play defense.. well the 2nd to the voting is ibaka.. and i think he is more deserving than chandler..

The Knicks went from 22nd defensively to 5th. Chandler played the most minutes.

And at any rate, giving a player an award based on how his teammates played is absurd. Not that that ever stopped anyone.