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 NY Post:

Center Earl Barron became a free agent when he was not re-signed by Milwaukee yesterday, but Walsh said he would pass for now despite the Knicks’ center woes. According to a source, Walsh likes Barron, but doesn’t want to sign him because D’Antoni won’t play him over Jared Jeffries or Ronny Turiaf.

Via Alan Hahn on Twitter:

The Utah Jazz will be without several players tonight as well, via The Salt Lake Tribune Blog:

The Jazz’s Francisco Elson (sprained left ankle/inflamed left knee), Kyrylo Fesenko (back spasms), Ronnie Price (sprained right big toe) and Mehmet Okur (strained lower back) are out for tonight’s game against the Knicks.

Paul Millsap (left patellar tendinitis) and Andrei Kirilenko (back spasms) are game-time decisions.

Despite the Knicks worst 5 starting combination consisting of  Raymond Felton, Landry Fields, Danilo Gallinari, Amar’e Stoudemire and Ronny Turiaf, that is the precise lineup Mike D’Antoni will be starting tonight against the Spurs.

That is to say, Wilson Chandler, who had one of his best games of the season against the Spurs earlier this month at MSG (going for 31 pts and 9 rbs), will be relegated to 6th man.

Recall, the Knicks beat up on the Spurs when Gallo was in a suit. Perhaps D’Antoni is more confident in Chandler coming off the bench than Danilo Gallinari, but one has to scratch their head at this decision.  We’ll just have to watch and see if this decision leads to a 5th straight loss for the reeling Knicks.

While you were sleeping and hoping for a snow day, the Knicks were in Portland taking care of business.  Ronny Turiaf easily had his best game as a Knick, and possibly a pro, scoring 19, grabbing 10 rebounds, blocking 2 shots,  and adding 3 steals and assists.  Amar’e, Felton, and Chandler also took care of business.

It appears that the Knicks will have to play without forward Danilo Gallinari for more than a few days.  Gallinari, who injured his left knee, will likely be out 2-3 weeks.

He will be replaced in the starting lineup by Ronny Turiaf, giving the knicks some more size up front.  However, while Turiaf has contributed offensively at times this year, he is more of a presence on defense.  So the Knicks will need to replace Gallinari’s scoring with contributions from others.

Amongst those likely to fill the void is Landry Fields, who earlier today was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month of December.  Landry, a second round pick out of Stanford who has come up with clutch plays throughout the season, will need to step his offensive game up if the Knicks are to continue their winning ways.

Via NY Times’ Jonathan Abrams on Twitter:

Via Alan Hahn at Newsday:

Orlando – frantically searching for a backup center after dealing Marcin Gortat to the Suns – has contacted the Knicks about Turiaf. The Magic reportedly offered Chris Duhon, but although Duhon ran D’Antoni’s pick-and-roll system well during the previous two seasons, the Knicks are not likely to engage.

Via MSG:

We recognize this is a bit outdated in that it relates to previewing the now-canceled Magic game, but posted it because it is great to hear the optimism in these Knicks.