"After a lockout of nearly five months, the stars who were finally back for the first day of Knicks training camp, Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, were overshadowed by one who was not at the training facility in Greenburgh.

Free agent center Tyson Chandler confirmed on a Dallas radio station Friday that he had agreed to terms with the Knicks.

"It just really happened over the last, like, 48 hours," Chandler said. "I just think the future of the team, being able to play alongside Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and the young talent that we have, I feel like that puts us in contention over the next four or five years."

Just seven players were at practice Friday — those who were signed with the exception of Chauncy Billups, who is expected to be bought out to make room for Chandler, and Ronny Turiaf, who will be traded to the Wizards, according to his agent Mark Bartelstein.

The Knicks also are moving closer to signing veteran free agent point guard Mike Bibby, who played in the Finals with the Heat last season. Bibby is the son of Henry Bibby, who played for the knicks from 1972-75.

Like the other players who were not yet officially signed before the Knicks began practice at 3 p.m., Chandler was not in the gym.

That did not stop the Knicks from getting excited about their future with the defensive-minded Chandler in the middle. Anthony and Stoudemire said that the addition puts the Knicks in the mix to contend for a championship."