NEW YORK, NY – MAY 03: Tyson Chandler #6 (R) of the New York Knicks receives his 2011-12 Defensive Player of the Year Award from former winner Dikembe Mutombo prior to the Knicks playing against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
The first domino has fallen in the free agency frenzy for the Phoenix Suns, and it’s a 7’1″ one that responds to the name ‘Tyson’ (we’re ignoring the Brandon Knight re-signing, although that is significant in its own right). The signing of Tyson Chandler is huge for Phoenix, regardless of whatever future dominoes it might topple over.
Chandler supplies the Suns with vital on-the-court and off-the-court ingredients; things that they were sorely lacking last season. He’ll get you a double-double every night, play ferocious defense down low, and at the age of 32 is still capable of eating up 30+ minutes at the center position for you. Additionally, he’ll be a fine mentor (again, on- and off-the-court) for the Suns young center Alex Len.
The off-the-court intangibles that the Compton native supplies might be even more important to the young Suns roster. He’s a former NBA champion and Defensive Player of the Year, and should bring the team much, much needed leadership and toughness (minus the knuckleheadedness). And if his presence means the team has even a tiny iota of a better chance at signing the big fish of free agency, LaMarcus Aldridge, all the better. But this signing on its own is a hugely impactful one for the Suns, regardless.
