Former New York Knicks center gets real about 2013 playoff shortcomings

May 16, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) blocks Indiana Pacers shooting guard Lance Stephenson (1) during the first quarter of game five of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) blocks Indiana Pacers shooting guard Lance Stephenson (1) during the first quarter of game five of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

In the past decade, the New York Knicks have made the playoffs three times and advanced to the second round twice. The 2022-23 squad was projected to be nothing more than a play-in team but ended up putting together the best season fans have witnessed in a while.

There’s been debate over whether or not last season’s team was better than the one that also made it to the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2013. Carmelo Anthony’s 21 points in Game 1 of the first round stopped the Celtics’ comeback attempt as the Knicks secured a 4-2 series win.

New York’s starting center that year, Tyson Chandler, was a guest this week on the ‘ALL THE SMOKE’ podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. The 2013 Defensive Player of the Year said he believes the Knicks were complacent by allowing the success they had to “get to them.”

Former New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler talks about 2013 playoff loss

The Knicks had a chance to put the Celtics away in Game 5 of the first round but lost 92-86. That set up Game 6 to be on Friday, and when New York won the series, the team had only one full day of rest before Game 1 of the second round on Sunday.

Tyson Chandler said after beating Boston, New York got “lax.” The Knicks canceled shootaround ahead of Game 1 because it was a 3 p.m. tip, and Mike Woodson felt the team needed additional rest. Chandler and Jason Kidd disagreed with that decision and believe that played a part in Indiana taking a 1-0 lead.

The Pacers won the series, 4-2, to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Miami outlasted Indiana, 4-2. Chandler said if the Knicks would’ve beaten the Pacers, he thinks they would’ve knocked off the Heat to advance to the NBA Finals.

It isn’t worth it to spend a lot of time thinking about what could’ve been, but a finals appearance and shot at winning a title could’ve changed the path New York went down in the following years.

Tyson Chandler spent another season with the Knicks, but the team didn’t come close to the success they had the year before. New York finished as the No. 9 team in the conference and missed the postseason, and the center was traded back to Dallas that offseason.