Knicks' Chandler named NBA's best defender
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler was named Wednesday as the 2011-12 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Chandler became the first Knicks player to win the award, ending a three-year winning streak for Orlando's Dwight Howard.
Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka finished second in the voting, Howard was third and Miami's LeBron James finished fourth.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Chandler, third in last year's voting as a member of the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks, was traded to New York in December as the centerpiece of a three- team deal.
The former second overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft averaged 1.4 blocks and 9.9 rebounds in 62 games, including 6.5 defensive boards. He also averaged 11.3 points.
The Knicks are currently in an 0-2 hole against the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.