Tyson Chandler named 2011-12 NBA Defensive Player of the Year

Mar 30, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks power forward Josh Smith (5) drives to the basket against New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and center Tyson Chandler (6) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 100-90. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-US PRESSWIRE

New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler was named the Defensive Player of the Year for the 2011-12 season.

After signing a four-year/$58 million deal with New York last December, Chandler quickly revatilized the culture of the Knicks. Prior to the season, the Knicks were loaded with a litany of apathetic defensive players.

Chandler’s interior defense alleviated the Knicks deficient perimeter defense outside of above-average defenders Landry Fields and Iman Shumpert.

Last year the Knicks defense ranked 23rd, allowing 110.1 points per 100 possessions. This year New York’s defense vaulted into the top five, marking a 9.1 point (per 100 possessions) improvement. With Chandler on the court, New York allows 98.1 points per 100 possessions according to NBA Stats Cube.