Tyson Chandler confirmed on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM’s “Ben and Skin Show” Friday morning that he will sign with the Knicks. As indicated by his arrival in Denver, Chauncey Billups is gone, whether by a sign-and-trade or more likely the amnesty provision.  In addition, Turiaf will also be sent packing, one way or another.

There are many Knicks fans whose first reaction will be “great we’ve got a big man but no CP3.”  Despite rumors of Amar’e for Paul, it would have been tremendously disrespectful for the Knicks management to up and deal him after all-but resurrecting this team and basketball city.

Let’s explore the impact that Tyson Chandler will have on this roster, sans Billups and Turiaf.

Tyson Chandler critics argue that he has only averaged around 8 points and 8 boards a game so far in his career and question how much of an impact he will make.  Yet, pure number crunchers fail to realize that up until the Dallas Mavericks added Chandler to their core last season they were incapable of winning that elusive ring. (more…)

While it is hard not to dwell on what could have been, what should have been, or what was, Tuesday night brings a new game and a clean slate.  KnicksTweets’ super-intern Netta, breaks down the seemingly new matchup that will take place at TD Garden in game 2 of 7.

What Worked:

Big Baby Davis is Just That

After making a comment prior to Game 1 that STAT was easy to guard, Amar’e obliterated Davis and his team. Amar’e under the basket was perhaps the biggest reason that the Knicks were able to establish a lead and stay in the game. Davis is slow. In reality he is just a more finely tuned version of Eddy Curry: A big body with soft hands. Essentially Big Baby deserves his nickname, he is just that a big ol’ cry baby.  Amar’e needs to keep proving Davis wrong.

Rookie On Ray

Landry Fields did a lot of things wrong in Sunday’s loss, but the one thing he did really well (in the 19 minutes and 2 seconds he was on the floor) was turn Ray Allen into a non-factor. Ray was quiet for most of the game (with the exception, of course, of his dagger from three that ended the game) and this was in large part due to the aggressive defense that Landry (or as I like to call him, Lance – watch Friday Night Lights for that reference) played against the veteran all-star. So next time you doubt D’Antoni’s choice to play the rookie, remember that he can prevent Déjà Vu.

What Needs to Change:

Energy and Attitude

The Knicks, and most importantly ‘Melo, need to realize that this is it. This city has been waiting for the post-season for seven long years and expects nothing less than wins. So in the spirit of Charlie Sheen, they need to start thinking they are WINNING. While ‘Melo obviously needs to crackdown on this and Amar’e clearly had this mindset in Game 1, it was apparent in the bench as well.  While Ronny Turiaf, who started, played the game like it was his last, Landry Fields continued to get lost and forgot how to play scrappy. It was his ability to put his heart on the floor and do the intangibles that got him playing time and notice this season, if he can do it in the post-season too the sky is the limit. Toney Douglas looked like the class clown in Game 1. He did not appear to be taking the game seriously. He looked more like a fool getting schooled on the blacktop than an NBA guard in the post-season.

Pace and Momentum

Since the big Carmelo blockbuster trade, the Knicks have seemingly strayed from Mike D’Antoni’s “7 Seconds or Less” philosophy. This in part has to do with Chanuncy Billups command of the offensive flow without a need to push the ball up the court. But with Billups likely sidelined for at least Game 2, the Knicks need to return to their fast paced roots and make the Celtics play their type of ball game.

Via CBS New York:

“I think we are probably, most certainly the most dangerous first-round team in the NBA,” (Billups) said. “When I say that it’s because we are new, and we are dangerous. We’ve got a lot of weapons. We can move the scoreboard. I think our defense is a lot better; We’re going to be a tough out”…

Carmelo Anthony knows how brutal Knicks-Celtics can be. He was on the receiving end of Boston’s rough-and-tumble brand of play, bleeding from a cut above the eye last month after a collision with Rajon Rondo.

“It’s going to be a very intense, high-energy series,” Anthony said. “I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be crazy. We just have to keep our composure. It’s going to be a very physical series. That’s the way they play.”

Via The Associated Press:

Chauncey Billups will start, despite leaving the Knicks’ victory at Philadelphia on Wednesday with a bruised right thigh. Billups bruised his left thigh in early March against Orlando and missed six games.

How do you feel about this decision?  We are okay assuming Chauncey is feeling 110%, as he could use the work.  But if he has even the slightest pain there is no way he should play.  In either case, we are not expecting big minutes this evening.

Via Alan Hahn on Twitter:

Still no official word on Chauncey Billups, although Hahn expects him to play.  The Nets will be without Deron Williams for the rest of the season, starting tonight, which could make for an awfully boring contest.

Via NBA.com:

Via Newsday:

“Donnie Walsh chatted before Monday night’s game with agent Andy Miller, who represents Chauncey Billups.  Miller said he has had “preliminary conversations” with the Knicks about Billups’ future with the team beyond this season, but at this point, “nothing specific” has been addressed…

The Knicks are expected to keep Billups for at least the final year of his contract.  He could be a valuable asset as an expiring contract, especially if a team such as the Hornets looks to trade Chris Paul before he opts out for free agency in 2012.”

Via NY Post:

“Donnie Walsh isn’t the only person whose Knicks’ future is in limbo. Just as owner James Dolan must decide by April 30 whether to pick up his team president’s option for next season — and possibly reward him with an additional extension — Chauncey Billups’ 2011-12 status must be settled by June 20.

Via NY Daily News:

“Johnson believes Mike D’Antoni‘s squad could replicate what the Knicks did in the strike-shortened 1999 season, when the team upended three straight higher-seeded opponents and became the first eighth seed in the NBA Finals.

“Absolutely,” Johnson, 41, told the Daily News. “I think they can do it.”…

“I think with the addition of Melo and Chauncey they now have the other scorers,” Johnson said. “When I was there, we had three scorers. Now, they have three scorers.”…

“We had a deep bench when we did that run,” he said. “They’re bench is a little weak. Maybe they need another banger down low. But they’re definitely exciting to watch.”