New York Knicks Center Tyson Chandler was awarded the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) trophy on Wednesday May 2, for his stellar play on defense. He received 45 first place votes and 311 points from sportswriters across America, narrowly beating out Serge Ibaka who had 41 first place votes and 294 points in total.
“To be considered the best defensive player in the league this year was just the ultimate for me,” Chandler said. “As much as I thought about it while I was in the gym every single day training, it’s kind of one of those things where that always goes to the glamorous guy. It’s been that way my entire career. So to finally get this, it means the world.”
Chandler has been a key acquistion for the Knicks this year and is the main reason for the Knicks turn around on the defensive end. Last year the Knikcs were at the bottom of the league in defense as a team and they are now in the top 5 in defensive efficiency.
Chandler is the first Knick ever to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
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