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Tyson Chandler wasn’t the problem with the New York Knicks last season

By Wes Goldberg

Apr 6, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) reacts during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) reacts during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Months after the deal that sent him back to the Dallas Mavericks, center Tyson Chandler is still upset about rumors that he caused problems last season in the New York Knicks locker room.

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Knicks president Phil Jackson, who said the team was seeking to “change some of the chemistry” upon dealing Chandler and Raymond Felton to the Mavs, is Chandler’s target.

Via ESPN.com’s Tim MacMahon:

"“I did nothing but try to help the culture there the three years I was there,” Chandler said Friday. “You can say I didn’t live up to whatever or you didn’t like the way I played or anything. But to ever question who I am and the type of leader I am in the locker room, I don’t even know where that came from.“It makes no sense,” Chandler said. “If you call holding people accountable daily being a bad influence, then hey, I’m a bad influence. But I’m going to be that as long as I’m going to strap up my shoes and step on the basketball court. And that was the big problem there.”"

Chandler hints that Jackson may have pushed the rumors in order to portray the Knicks as making the right move by dealing away their only rim protector.

Chandler didn’t have a good season, and he admits that to MacMahon. He averaged 8.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game in 55 games through an overall underwhelming season for the Knicks. Chandler won Defensive Player of the Year back in 2011-12, but didn’t play like the game-changing defensive player we are used to seeing.

Back with the Mavericks, though, we can expect a bounce back year from Chandler. He is a strong personality, and those don’t always fit in every NBA locker room. But the Mavs know what he’s about, after winning an NBA title with him in 2012. It should be a happy reunion for both sides.

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