NBA Lockout

One of the reasons the NHL players eventually accepted a hard salary cap: the league implemented revenue sharing for the first time. A similar system, used by the NFL, is often cited as the reason pro football can thrive in tiny markets like Green Bay, Wisconsin.

But NBA teams do not split local most local revenue, which could give a significant financial edge to teams in big markets. Some players -- such as Indiana's Danny Granger -- have cited that disparity as the reason teams like the Pacers haven't been able to compete at the highest levels.

The owners may not buy that argument, for a variety of reasons.

First off, you'd have a hard time drawing a direct correlation between market size, income and on-court success. No team makes (and spends) more money than the Knicks, and they've been awful for the better part of the last decade. Los Angeles is an enormous market, and the Clippers are arguably the least-successful team in American sports history. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs are the league's model franchise, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are thriving.

Well, they're thriving on the court at least. As Tom Ziller of SBNation points out, the biggest determining factor of a team's financial success seems to be market size; where pure profit is concerned, it's better to be an inept team in Los Angeles than a successful team in San Antonio.

And you wondered why Donald Sterling stays in the business.

Also worth noting: the league does have a form of revenue sharing already in place: the dreaded luxury tax. Of course, the players would almost certainly prefer a more direct form of wealth redistribution -- like the 60-40 home-away split of ticket sales used by the NFL -- over a system designed to punish teams for exceeding certain salary levels.

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Most Embarassing High School Photos of NBA Stars

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2011 NBA Draft

Updated January 04, 2012

Basketball fans look to the future, and the NBA's stars of tomorrow learn where they'll be playing at the annual NBA Draft.

Where: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
When: June 28, 2011, 7pm Eastern

Madison Square Garden has traditionally hosted the draft, but the "World's Most Famous Arena" will be under renovation for the next two summers, which forced the league to look for another venue.

Newark's Prudential Center will host the festivities in 2012. Sites for 2013 and beyond have not been announced. Television: ESPN
Radio: ESPN Radio

Format

Two rounds of 30 picks each. The order for the first fourteen selections is determined at the annual NBA Draft Lottery, the remainder determined by won/loss record. The team with the best record gets the last selection in each round.

Eligibility

Any player wishing to make himself eligible for this year's draft must reach his 19th birthday during the 2011 calendar year.

The deadline for college underclassmen and international players to enter the draft is April 24 - 60 days before the draft itself. NCAA players must withdraw before May 8 to maintain eligibility; international players have until June 13 to withdraw.

• Key Dates - NBA Draft 2012

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Report: LeBron Wins Third MVP

LeBron James will be named the 2012 NBA MVP, a source tells the Associated Press. It will be James' third trophy, which adds him to an illustrious list of three-time winners that includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell and Moses Malone.

• Report: LeBron takes third MVP award.
• 2012 NBA Award Winners

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NBA Playoffs: First Round

Playoff basketball brings a whole new level of intensity, but this season, the postseason might offer players a much-needed break. After a lockout-compressed 66-game regular season that had teams playing three games in three nights or four in five at times, the television-friendly playoff schedule will allow teams to actually rest a bit between games.

Teams to Beat

The Chicago Bulls finished with the NBA's best overall record and are the top seed in the playoffs. That's particularly impressive given the fact that Derrick Rose was in and out of the lineup due to a variety of injuries. But top seed status doesn't necessarily make Chicago the favorite to come out of the East... there's a team from Miami with a remarkably talented (but somewhat top-heavy) roster that will have something to say about all that... and don't discount the Boston Celtics' chances at making one more run to the Finals.

In the West, the Spurs are the top seed once again... just like last year, when they were upset in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies. But the second-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder might be the team to beat, while the Los Angeles Lakers - like the Celtics - try to make one more run.

Most Intriguing Matchups

The first-round series between the Knicks and Heat will generate a lot of buzz due to the combined star power of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. And the Knicks have been one of the league's hottest teams since Mike Woodson took over for Mike D'Antoni. But their lack of a true point guard - Jeremy Lin's injury will keep him out for another two weeks or so, and Baron Davis is a shell of his former self - will probably doom New York to another first-round exit.

The most evenly-matched series might be the four/five pairing in the West: Clippers vs. Grizzlies. The Grizzlies squeaked past the Clips in the season's final week to take over the four seed and home-court advantage; that could be big, as Memphis is excellent at home.

Series-by-Series Breakdowns

1. Chicago Bulls vs. 8. Philadelphia 76ers

Getty Images / Jonathan Daniel

The Bulls are an outstanding regular season team, partly because they play with playoff-style intensity every night. That allowed them to overcome the absence of Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah for much of last season and the injuries to Derrick Rose, Rip Hamilton and Luol Deng this year. The only question: will that laser-like intensity continue to be an advantage when everyone is in playoff mode? Can the Bulls take their play to another level? The Sixers probably don't have the talent to force that... but a conference semifinal or final opponent might.

2. Miami Heat vs. 7. New York Knicks

Getty Images Sport - Mike Ehrmann/Staff

This series has it all. Star power. History. Unfortunately, what it doesn't have is a point guard wearing a Knick uniform. If the Knicks were completely healthy, their depth and Tyson Chandler's presence in the middle might have been enough to send Miami home early.

3. Indiana Pacers vs. 6. Orlando Magic

Getty Images / Andy Lyons

Indiana is the best team that no one's talking about... but if Dwight Howard was healthy, they'd probably be the underdog in this series. Of course, Dwight Howard is far from healthy - back surgery ended his season weeks ago - and without the big man, Orlando just doesn't have the talent to compete in the postseason.

4. Boston Celtics vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

The Celtics have the higher seed, by virtue of their Atlantic Division title. But the Hawks finished the regular season with a superior record, and they'll have home court advantage in the series. That's a big deal - the Hawks are very tough at Philips Arena. Unfortunately, all-star center Al Horford apparently won't be able to return for this series.

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 8. Utah Jazz

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

The Spurs are the top seed in the West... just like last year. But last year, they lost in the first round to the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming just the second top seed to lose to an eight since the first round was expanded to seven games. It can't happen two years in a row... can it?

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 7. Dallas Mavericks

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

A team on the way up against a team on the way down. The defending champs are in transition, as Mark Cuban tries to clear cap space for a run at Deron Williams and Dwight Howard. But that won't help the Mavs deal with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and a very talented Oklahoma City team that could make their first of several trips to the Finals.

3. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 6. Denver Nuggets

Getty Images Sport / Ronald Martinez

The Lakers missed out on Chris Paul. They lost Lamar Odom and Phil Jackson and alienated Pau Gasol. And yet, here they are... with another Pacific Division title under their belts, ready to make one more run at the Finals. Kobe Bryant may be the oldest superstar in the game today... but he was second in the league in scoring. The Denver Nuggets are one of the most entertaining teams in the league, but it's hard to see how a frontcourt featuring JaVale McGee and Al Harrington will be able to deal with the Lakers' size.

4. Memphis Grizzlies vs. 5. Los Angeles Clippers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Chris Paul makes the Clippers a very dangerous team... but the Grizzlies have an outstanding frontcourt, home court advantage, and the opportunity to build on last year's impressive showing.

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2012 Olympics: Men's Basketball Teams

As reigning world and Olympic champions, Team USA will enter the London Olympics as major favorites. And rightfully so; with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and other NBA superstars expected to participate, Mike Krzyzewski's club will be absolutely loaded.

But Coach K's club won't be the only team in London with NBA talent. In fact, most of the twelve teams participating in the men's basketball tournament will sport a few names very familiar to American basketball fans. Here's a look at the field.

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2012 NBA All-Star Weekend Recap

In a game largely devoid of defense, the top scorers thrive. And Kevin Durant is one of the best in recent memory. Oklahoma City's superstar wing scored 36 points on 14-25 shooting and added seven rebounds, three assists and three steals while leading the West to a 152-149 victory and taking Most Valuable Player honors.

Kobe Bryant added 27 points, and moved past Michael Jordan into first place on the all-time All-Star game scoring list in the process.

Blake Griffin became just the third player in all-star game history to post a triple-double, with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. But his best play may have been his steal of a LeBron James pass with seconds remaining, to help ice the game for the West.

James led the Eastern Conference stars with 36 points, and was white-hot (6-8) from three-point range.

All-Star Injuries

Bryant suffered a broken nose, courtesy of a hard foul by Dwyane Wade. Luol Deng played just six minutes; he left the game after falling on his injured left wrist and did not return.

Bryant's Laker teammate and fellow starter Andrew Bynum also saw only limited action; Bynum received an injection in his oft-injured knee earlier this week.

All-Star Scoring Records

Bryant's 27 points give him 271 in all-star play, most of any player in NBA history. Michael Jordan is now second with 262.

Bryant also passed Kareem Abdul Jabbar (251) and Oscar Robertson (246) on the all-time list during the game.

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Birdman of Alcatraz? Nuggets' Andersen Under Investigation

Denver Nuggets reserve Chris "Birdman" Andersen is under investigation - reportedly for child pornography. Anderson's attorney has a very different explanation.

Colin Breese tells the Denver Post that Andersen's legal troubles stem from a female fan that sent a number of photographs - some in various stages of undress - and claimed to be 21.

When Anderson spurned her advances, she allegedly threatened blackmail.

Anderson has not appeared in a game for the Nuggets during the postseason, and is on indefinite leave from the team while the investigation continues. Denver will play the Lakers on Saturday night, with the winner advancing to face Oklahoma City in the Western Conference semifinals.

• Lawyer: Chris 'Birdman' Andersen may be extortion target - NBA - Sporting News.

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2011-12 Postmortem: New York Knicks

The Knicks hadn't won a playoff game in over a decade, so a seven seed in the Eastern Conference and a 3-1 series loss to the Miami Heat should probably be regarded as progress.

Slight progress.

I think the Knicks will be back more or less intact next season... but they'll fare much better in the Atlantic Division standings and the postseason.

• 2011-12 Postmortem: New York Knicks.

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Playoff Updates: Lakers, Clippers advance, Bosh hurt in Miami's win

The Lakers and Clippers finally closed out their first-round series with wins over the Nuggets and Grizzlies, respectively.

The Laker win sets up a highly intriguing "revenge" subplot for the conference semifinals against Oklahoma City. The last time the Lakers played the Thunder, Metta World Peace elbowed James Harden in the head, leaving the sixth man of the year with a concussion and earning a six-game suspension. The enforcer with the ironic name returned to the court for the Lakers' game seven win over Denver, and will be available for the next round.

Of course, the whole Kobe Bryant/Kevin Durant thing is pretty compelling too.

• Series Preview: Lakers vs. Thunder

The Clippers mounted a late charge to finish off the Memphis Grizzlies, but got very little from Blake Griffin, who is clearly still bothered by a knee injury. They'll face San Antonio in the second round. San Antonio is well-rested and healthy; the Clippers are a M*A*S*H unit, with Griffin (knee), Chris Paul (hip), Mo Williams (hand) and Caron Butler (hand) all nursing injuries.

• Series Preview: Clippers vs. Spurs

Miami opened their Eastern Conference Semifinal series with a win over the Pacers, but lost Chris Bosh to an abdominal strain in the first half. It's not clear if Bosh will be available for game two on Tuesday - or the rest of the series.

Bosh is probably the member of the "Big Three" that Miami can least-afford to lose, as the Heat are very thin in the frontcourt. Look for Erik Spoelstra to use smaller lineups featuring Shane Battier or Mike Miller in Bosh's place whenever possible... but that'll create a major size advantage for Indiana's David West and Roy Hibbert.

• Series Schedule and Results: Heat vs. Pacers

The Celtics got a triple-double from Rajon Rondo and a season-high in scoring from Kevin Garnett, taking a 1-0 series lead over the Sixers.

• Series Schedule and Results: Celtics vs. Sixers

Today's games:

The 76ers will try to even their series with the Celtics in Boston at 7:00 ET. The Lakers tip-off their series in Oklahoma City at 9:30 ET.

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2012 NBA Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs

When Gregg Popovich retires, we'll look back at his career and accomplishments. And we'll wonder why he didn't win NBA Coach of the Year more often. He's this season's honoree, and he won in 2003... and he probably deserved several other trophies.

Not that he'd want them.

This season, Coach Pop took a team that was knocked out in the first round of the 2011 playoffs and gave up George Hill - a key backcourt sub - into a compressed season that was supposed to make life super-difficult for veteran teams...

And led them to a 50-16 record, tying the Chicago Bulls for tops in the NBA.

Tom Thibodeau of the Bulls - last season's coach of the year - placed second in the voting, while Indiana's Frank Vogel was third.

• NBA Coach of the Year
• 2012 NBA Awards

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NBA Playoffs: First Round

Playoff basketball brings a whole new level of intensity, but this season, the postseason might offer players a much-needed break. After a lockout-compressed 66-game regular season that had teams playing three games in three nights or four in five at times, the television-friendly playoff schedule will allow teams to actually rest a bit between games.

Teams to Beat

The Chicago Bulls finished with the NBA's best overall record and are the top seed in the playoffs. That's particularly impressive given the fact that Derrick Rose was in and out of the lineup due to a variety of injuries. But top seed status doesn't necessarily make Chicago the favorite to come out of the East... there's a team from Miami with a remarkably talented (but somewhat top-heavy) roster that will have something to say about all that... and don't discount the Boston Celtics' chances at making one more run to the Finals.

In the West, the Spurs are the top seed once again... just like last year, when they were upset in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies. But the second-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder might be the team to beat, while the Los Angeles Lakers - like the Celtics - try to make one more run.

Most Intriguing Matchups

The first-round series between the Knicks and Heat will generate a lot of buzz due to the combined star power of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. And the Knicks have been one of the league's hottest teams since Mike Woodson took over for Mike D'Antoni. But their lack of a true point guard - Jeremy Lin's injury will keep him out for another two weeks or so, and Baron Davis is a shell of his former self - will probably doom New York to another first-round exit.

The most evenly-matched series might be the four/five pairing in the West: Clippers vs. Grizzlies. The Grizzlies squeaked past the Clips in the season's final week to take over the four seed and home-court advantage; that could be big, as Memphis is excellent at home.

Series-by-Series Breakdowns

1. Chicago Bulls vs. 8. Philadelphia 76ers

Getty Images / Jonathan Daniel

The Bulls are an outstanding regular season team, partly because they play with playoff-style intensity every night. That allowed them to overcome the absence of Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah for much of last season and the injuries to Derrick Rose, Rip Hamilton and Luol Deng this year. The only question: will that laser-like intensity continue to be an advantage when everyone is in playoff mode? Can the Bulls take their play to another level? The Sixers probably don't have the talent to force that... but a conference semifinal or final opponent might.

2. Miami Heat vs. 7. New York Knicks

Getty Images Sport - Mike Ehrmann/Staff

This series has it all. Star power. History. Unfortunately, what it doesn't have is a point guard wearing a Knick uniform. If the Knicks were completely healthy, their depth and Tyson Chandler's presence in the middle might have been enough to send Miami home early.

3. Indiana Pacers vs. 6. Orlando Magic

Getty Images / Andy Lyons

Indiana is the best team that no one's talking about... but if Dwight Howard was healthy, they'd probably be the underdog in this series. Of course, Dwight Howard is far from healthy - back surgery ended his season weeks ago - and without the big man, Orlando just doesn't have the talent to compete in the postseason.

4. Boston Celtics vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

The Celtics have the higher seed, by virtue of their Atlantic Division title. But the Hawks finished the regular season with a superior record, and they'll have home court advantage in the series. That's a big deal - the Hawks are very tough at Philips Arena. Unfortunately, all-star center Al Horford apparently won't be able to return for this series.

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 8. Utah Jazz

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

The Spurs are the top seed in the West... just like last year. But last year, they lost in the first round to the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming just the second top seed to lose to an eight since the first round was expanded to seven games. It can't happen two years in a row... can it?

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 7. Dallas Mavericks

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

A team on the way up against a team on the way down. The defending champs are in transition, as Mark Cuban tries to clear cap space for a run at Deron Williams and Dwight Howard. But that won't help the Mavs deal with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and a very talented Oklahoma City team that could make their first of several trips to the Finals.

3. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 6. Denver Nuggets

Getty Images Sport / Ronald Martinez

The Lakers missed out on Chris Paul. They lost Lamar Odom and Phil Jackson and alienated Pau Gasol. And yet, here they are... with another Pacific Division title under their belts, ready to make one more run at the Finals. Kobe Bryant may be the oldest superstar in the game today... but he was second in the league in scoring. The Denver Nuggets are one of the most entertaining teams in the league, but it's hard to see how a frontcourt featuring JaVale McGee and Al Harrington will be able to deal with the Lakers' size.

4. Memphis Grizzlies vs. 5. Los Angeles Clippers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Chris Paul makes the Clippers a very dangerous team... but the Grizzlies have an outstanding frontcourt, home court advantage, and the opportunity to build on last year's impressive showing.

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Injuries and Team USA

USA Basketball released a preliminary 20-man roster for this year's Olympic men's basketball team back in January. They planned to cut the list down to 12 in time for Team USA's training camp in July, but injuries have done much of the work for them. Four players from the initial list - including center Dwight Howard and guard Derrick Rose - have sustained injuries that will make it impossible for them to play in London this summer. Howard's absence, in particular, could make life difficult for USA Basketball. His injury leaves Tyson Chandler as the only true center on the initial roster. That won't be a problem against most of the teams in the Olympic tournament, but Team Spain should have both Gasol brothers and Serge Ibaka in their frontcourt, and that trio will present major problems. On the other hand, Team USA is crazy-deep in the backcourt (Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Russell Westbrook, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade) and on the wing (LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay) which could make it a lot easier to get by with, say, Chris Bosh or Kevin Love manning the middle.

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NBA Defensive Player

Jrue Holiday #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers lays up a shot past Tyson Chandler #6 of the New York Knicks at the Wells Fargo Center on March 21, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Knicks won 82-79.

Drew Hallowell / Getty Images

Updated May 02, 2012

The highlight shows tend to focus on the offensive end, but there will always be a place in the NBA for elite defenders. The best is honored every year with the Defensive Player of the Year award, an honor which, if there was any justice in the world, would be named for Celtic great Bill Russell, who dominated the paint before this award - and many statistical measures of great defense - even existed. (Russell's name is on the Finals MVP trophy.)

2012 Defensive Player of the Year: Tyson Chandler

It would be easy to dismiss Tyson Chandler's win as simple voter fatigue... NBA awards voters do seem to get bored with selecting the same player over and over again, and Dwight Howard had won three straight times. But Howard had a down year, while Chandler arrived in New York and helped the Knicks jump from 22nd overall in defensive efficiency to 5th.

Chandler is the first Knick to be honored as Defensive Player of the Year.

The Selection Process

The winner is selected by a panel of media members representing every NBA city, as well as a number of national broadcasters and writers.

The vote takes place immediately after the regular season; playoff performance doesn't factor in.

Defensive Player of the Year Trivia

• Shot-blockers and rebounders have dominated the voting in recent years. Since 1989, the only guards to win defensive player honors are Seattle's Gary "The Glove" Payton (1996) and Indiana swingman Ron Artest (2004).
• But big men didn't dominate the voting at the outset: five of the first six defensive player awards went to guards. Milwaukee's Sidney Moncrief won the first two.
• Michael Jordan, David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon are the only players to win Defensive Player of the Year and MVP awards. Olajuwon won both -- and was named Finals MVP -- in the same year.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year

2010-11 : Tyson Chandler - New York
2010-11 : Dwight Howard - Orlando
2009-10 : Dwight Howard - Orlando
2008-09 : Dwight Howard - Orlando
2007-08 : Kevin Garnett - Boston
2006-07 : Marcus Camby - Denver
2005-06 : Ben Wallace - Detroit
2004-05 : Ben Wallace - Detroit
2003-04 : Ron Artest - Indiana
2002-03 : Ben Wallace - Detroit
2001-02 : Ben Wallace - Detroit
2000-01 : Dikembe Mutombo - Philadelphia-Atlanta
1999-00 : Alonzo Mourning - Miami
1998-99 : Alonzo Mourning - Miami
1997-98 : Dikembe Mutombo - Atlanta
1996-97 : Dikembe Mutombo - Atlanta
1995-96 : Gary Payton - Seattle
1994-95 : Dikembe Mutombo - Denver
1993-94 : Hakeem Olajuwon - Houston
1992-93 : Hakeem Olajuwon - Houston
1991-92 : David Robinson - San Antonio
1990-91 : Dennis Rodman - Detroit
1989-90 : Dennis Rodman - Detroit
1988-89 : Mark Eaton - Utah
1987-88 : Michael Jordan - Chicago
1986-87 : Michael Cooper - Los Angeles Lakers
1985-86 : Alvin Robertson - San Antonio
1984-85 : Mark Eaton - Utah
1983-84 : Sidney Moncrief - Milwaukee
1982-83 : Sidney Moncrief - Milwaukee

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Amar'e Stoudemire Punches Fire Extinguisher, Out for Playoffs

The Knicks are in an 0-2 hole after dropping game two of their Eastern Conference playoff series with Miami last night by a score 0f 104-94. But right now, that loss - and their 12-game postseason losing streak - are an afterthought.

While leaving the court, Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire punched at a glass-encased fire extinguisher out of frustration. The glass shattered, leaving Stoudemire with what has been described as a "severe" laceration that required several stitches to close. He left the arena with his left (non-shooting) hand heavily bandaged and in a sling.

Why is Stoudemire so frustrated? The Knicks' loss was almost certainly part of the problem, as are the mounting injuries that have prevented him from playing at an all-star level. But the biggest problem might be his role on the Knicks - a role that seems to be diminishing on a daily basis.

Stoudemire signed with the Knicks after the 2010 season, intent on becoming the building block that would lead the team back into contention. But his "alpha dog" status came into question with the acquisition of Carmelo Anthony. Both players are excellent on offense but suspect on defense, but Anthony is much better at creating his own shots - Stoudemire is most effective playing a two-man game with a point guard like Steve Nash or Raymond Felton.

Stoudemire is highly unlikely to play again in this series... and with New York in a 0-2 hole and missing three starters - Iman Shumpert tore his ACL in Game One, and Jeremy Lin is still recovering from March knee surgery - this series will almost certainly end their season.

What's Next for Stoudemire and the Knicks?

There are quite a few parallels between Stoudemire's situation and that of A.J. Burnett, the ex-Yankee pitcher. Both were signed to enormous contracts. Both struggled to live up to expectations. And now, both have suffered self-inflicted hand injuries stemming from encounters with inanimate objects.

The Yankees were eventually able to cut their losses, trading Burnett to the Pittsburgh Pirates. New York will continue to pay a very substantial portion of Burnett's salary... but they're the Yankees, that's what they do.

The Knicks could decide to take a similar action with Stoudemire... but they'll have a much harder time doing so. Stoudemire's contract has three years and over $60 million remaining, and due to his long history of injuries, that contract is uninsured. Can Glen Grunwald find a taker for that deal? Anything is possible... but it certainly won't be easy.

• NY Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire punches glass case holding fire extinguisher, cuts left hand and leaves with arm in sling after Game 2 loss to Heat - NY Daily News.

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2012 Defensive Player of the Year: Tyson Chandler

Knicks fans received some good news for the first time in about a week when Tyson Chandler was named the NBA's 2012 Defensive Player of the Year.

Chandler doesn't have the gaudy rebound or block totals we've come to expect from the DPOY winner. His impact is much better measured at the team level. In 2010-11, before his arrival, the Knicks ranked 22nd in the NBA in defensive efficiency. This season, that rank jumped to fifth overall. That's particularly impressive considering the fact that most of New York's other top players - Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak especially - are considerably below-average on defense.

Chandler is the first Knick to be honored as the league's top defender.

Serge Ibaka placed second in the voting, followed by three-time defensive player of the year Dwight Howard in third place and LeBron James in fourth.

• Defensive Player of the Year
• 2012 NBA Awards

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Insult and Injury: Knicks Crushed in Miami, Lose Shumpert

The Miami Heat dismantled the Knicks, 100-67, in game one of their first round playoff series on Saturday.

Miami's swarming defense had New York's scorers settling for jump shots for much of the game, as evidenced by the massive (33-11) disparity in free-throw attempts. LeBron James probably won himself a few defensive player of the year votes with his work on Carmelo Anthony; 'Melo managed just 11 points on 3-15 shooting in the game. James also led all scorers with 32 points, as Miami built up a big second quarter lead and coasted through the second half.

New York also lost guard Iman Shumpert to a knee injury in the third quarter; unconfirmed reports suggest Shumpert has a torn ACL.

• Heat 100, Knicks 67: Rapid Recap
• Heat vs. Knicks - Series Schedule and Results

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