LONDON – Knicks center Tyson Chandler is starting to wonder if sportswriters take their postseason voting chores more seriously than the NBA coaches.
Following Team USA basketball practice yesterday, Chandler reacted publicly to the confusion of his being named to the Second Team All-Defense just a week after being named Defensive Player of the Year.
The media votes on the DPOY Award and the Knicks staged a lavish press conference for the unsung Chandler, who still has not made an All-Star team. What hurt Chandler is that the All-Defense teams are voted by coaches. Chandler figures by now coaches have seen what he brings on the court on the defensive end after winning a championship in Dallas in 2011 and leading the Knicks into the playoffs.
“I was surprised,’’ Chandler told The Post. “I think it was ridiculous. It just shows – the coaches vote for that. I don’t know if they’re really paying attention on what they’re voting on. I don’t tknow if they just mark down the names. I don’t understand how I can win Defensive Player of the Year by the media and get second team. The good thing is I get to play against them next year and show them why I should’ve been Defensive Player of Year and show them why I should be on the first team.’’
Chandler had an excellent Olympic debut Sunday vs. France, scoring eight points with nine rebounds in just 11 minutes. Though Chandler is the starting center — and lone pivot on the club — coach Mike Krzyzewski likes playing his wingmen at the 5. Power forward Kevin Love also had a big second half.
Chandler is likely to make his first All-Star Game this year. But Chandler says, “It’s always politics.’’