Mavs' Chandler on Stoudemire's right to criticize: 'He's earned it'

Some may wonder whether Amar'e Stoudemire has a right to criticize his Dallas Mavericks teammates given his short tenure with the team, but Mavs center Tyson Chandler isn't one of them.

"I think he's earned it throughout his career, and he came here because he wanted to win a championship," Chandler told ESPN's Tim McMahon after Stoudemire criticized the Mavs' professionalism after a blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.

"And I encourage more guys to be vocal," added Chandler, who played three seasons with Stoudemire as a member of the New York Knicks. "I think he's only been honest to his teammates. He didn't say anything to you guys that he didn't say to us personally, so I respect that. I feel like guys will respect that and get things in order."

The Mavericks have lost five of seven to fall to seventh place in the compact Western Conference standings.

Stoudemire is averaging 11.4 points and 3.5 rebounds in eight games with the Mavs since signing with the team in February after a contract buyout with the Knicks.