Why Signing Chandler Has Been So Important to the Knicks When the Knicks chose to sign Tyson Chandler in the off-season, they made two crucial decisions. One decision, which seemed to haunt the team until the emergence of Jeremy Lin, was to waive starting point guard Chauncey Billups, to make room for Chandler. With former coach Mike D'Antoni's offense dependent on a floor general, the decision to let Billups go was cause for concern. The other decision, however, was a commitment to changing the defensive culture in New York. The Knicks have struggled throughout the season to find a consistent offensive rhythm, but that is exactly why their elevated defensive performance has been so important along the way. Chandler, the new defensive anchor, has emerged as a leader, as the team has allowed only 94.7 points per game. The big man leads by example, and that has most recently been seen in his effort on Dwight Howard. Chandler has shut down the all-star down as the Knicks have won two out of three games against the Magic this season. Howard was limited to an average of only 9.3 points during those games. What's more, Chandler also pestered Howard into committing an erratic 5.7 turnovers per game. Of course, the Magic are plagued by off-the-court distractions, but that in no way discounts Chandler's impact. Coming off a season in which he won an N.B.A. championship and finished second in "Defensive Player of the Year" voting, Chandler has picked up where he left off, averaging 9.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks heading into Thursday's game. Chandler not only uses his lengthy frame to alter the play of some of the league's stronger post players, but also effectively makes use of his fouls by committing them when he is clearly beat. When he's not able to stop opposing players simply by skill, Chandler makes sure he gives them a challenge, forcing them to make free-throws. His statistics are not necessarily breathtaking, but Chandler makes up for what he lacks on the stat-sheet by ensuring that his presence is felt on the court. His importance to the Knicks" defense is worth noting because of where the team has been and where they now expect to go. Chandler's defensive intensity was powerful enough to help propel the Mavericks" to an N.B.A. title last season, and with the Knicks currently facing an array of injuries, they hope that same intensity may be enough to a help the team inch into the playoffs. Because Chandler is essential to his team's defensive prowess (not to mention its playoff chances), the case can be made that he is most valuable defensive player in the entire league. Last season, he was an N.B.A. champion. This season, his prize may just be a Defensive Player of the Year. Keith Schlosser is the founder and editor of KnicksJournal.com. You can find him on Twitter (@KnicksJournal).