Tyson Chandler fires back at Knicks

Updated: September 19, 2014, 6:21 PM ET

By Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com

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DALLAS -- Months later, Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler is still mad about insinuations that he caused chemistry issues for the New York Knicks last season.

Knicks president Phil Jackson cited the desire to "change some of the chemistry" of the team as one of the reasons he sent Chandler and point guard Raymond Felton to Dallas in the late-June deal.

[+] EnlargeTyson Chandler

Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports
The Mavericks' Tyson Chandler called allegations that he disrupted chemistry in the Knicks' locker room last season "a shock."

Chandler has been portrayed in several media reports since then as a player who caused internal problems for the Knicks last season, much to his chagrin.

"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.

"I honestly don't know where that came from. I don't know if Phil put that out there or who put that out there, but to me, that was the ultimate shock. And you don't have to say that to get rid of me or to trade me. The trade is over.

"So to judge my character and what I've done, you can go look at all my teammates and ask all of my teammates in the past, and the coaches I've played for, and I've never been a problem and never had a problem. So that was a shock to me that I didn't appreciate."

Mavs owner Mark Cuban, president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson and coach Rick Carlisle all cited Chandler's outstanding leadership ability as one of the motivating factors in bringing him back to Dallas. Chandler was widely recognized as the spiritual leader during Dallas' 2010-11 championship season. He has always prided himself in being an unselfish player who demands the best of his teammates.

"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.

"That's the biggest thing. I guess if that's why I was a bad influence, because I wanted to do things the right way, then I guess I'm a bad influence. But I've never heard of that. I thought that was being a professional."

Chandler, the Defensive Player of the Year in 2011-12 and an All-Star in 2012-13, readily admits that he was disappointed in his performance last season. He averaged 8.7 points and 9.6 rebounds in 55 games for a Knicks team that went 37-45 after winning a playoff series the previous season. He also acknowledges that he'd speak his mind when he felt it was merited.

However, Chandler adamantly insists he never had any problems with teammates or coaches in New York. He finds suggestions otherwise to be offensive.

"You can go to any of the staff members or anybody and ask them what kind of guy I was when I was there, and if I was the guy who was pushing for what is right all the time and they would tell you so," Chandler said. "That more than anything in my career caught me off guard. I can stomach somebody saying he didn't produce or whatever, and that's just motivation. But a shot at someone's character or professionalism, that's a little far-fetched."

But that's Phil and we love him cod now he's ours

gunsnewing wrote:He's right

Yeah as much as I can't stand how smug he

Acted on the court in games

We have more evidence his words carry truth

But when signed in place of Billups Amnesty

Chandler was sold as a contention piece

Everytime a player leaves, the salt remains

markvmc wrote:I like Tyson, and I'm sorry he's gone, but weren't there a few post-game interviews last year where he threw his teammates under a bus?

Well he sold out Lin in favor of Felton

He was praised by a large mass for doing so

He usually had his slant on what our issues were

Often met with different slants from others

He threw Woodson's coaching under the bus last year

F500ONE wrote:

markvmc wrote:I like Tyson, and I'm sorry he's gone, but weren't there a few post-game interviews last year where he threw his teammates under a bus?

Well he sold out Lin in favor of Felton

He was praised by a large mass for doing so

He usually had his slant on what our issues were

Often met with different slants from others

He threw Woodson's coaching under the bus last year

Exactly. Was he wrong?

1st Lin

Now Tyson lol

gunsnewing wrote:I love character assassination

1st Lin

Now Tyson lol

I think you're wrong on this one. Tyson most definitely had some issue with his behavior during his time with the Knicks. If it was warranted in his mind or not he was wrong to go against the coach or deflect blame for his own shortcomings. In Tyson's mind he was justified but clearly Phil saw things differently. I'm gonna go with Phil on this one.

Tyson was a good player for this team but had his negatives too. I wasn't too pleased when he decided not to go learn from Hakeem. I think he complained too much to Felton which caused chemistry issues. He was paid to be an impact player and leader and often he was neither. Too many emotional outbursts after minimal contact. Too often standing and watching on D rather than hustling to help defend. He had his positives of course and these bad aspects weren't predominant but they happened often enough to effect the team. IMO the MYTH of Tyson is greater than the player.

F500ONE wrote:Had Phil not traded Tyson

We wouldn't be discussing what he did

Under Woodson's watch

We'd be talking about another transformation

Tyson hungry to play for another contract

But since he's gone, time to pick up stones

“I definitely don’t want to waste another season,’’ Chandler said before the Knicks faced the Nets Tuesday at Barclays Center. “I don’t want to waste this season. I’m not into wasting seasons. Your time is too short in this league and I want to win a championship, another one. I’m not into wasting seasons.’’