Tyson Chandler To Sit For Knicks Against Hawks

After suffering an embarrassing 98-90 loss to the Cavaliers on Friday, one may think the Knicks would want all hands on deck as they look to regroup and build some consistency this afternoon vs. the Hawks.

Instead, Tyson Chandler (arguably the M.V.P. of the Knicks' entire season), will sit out the game. Chandler, who was been fatigued this season by various injuries, is not currently injured. Instead, he is simply receiving a break in all the action.

After the Knicks' feeble effort the Cavs, perhaps it's likely the team is looking to take things easy the rest of the way in hopes of placing eighth in the East (rather than seventh), in order to secure a first-round matchup with the Bulls, rather than the Heat.

Even so, the team needs to be careful that in taking things easy, they do not fall behind. Sometimes it can be difficult to get into a rhythm on the court, and if the Knicks relinquish any momentum at all heading into the postseason, it may be even more difficult to regain it going forward.

That said, there are other benefits to sitting Chandler, aside from the fact that he simply gets to rest. With Amar'e Stoudemire having made his return to the court Friday. a big priority for the team going forward will be re-acclimating him into the offense. The key will be STAT's ability to make an impact while still allowing Carmelo Anthony to dominate offensively as well. Perhaps starting Stoudemire at center and keeping Anthony at power forward will help the Knicks figure things out offensively as Chandler sits.