Knicks (0-0) at Celtics (0-0) Game #1 10/22/24

[tenn_smoothie]

The shooting is great, but I like our effort on defense more.
Though ................ this game has "blown lead" written all over it.
Come out drilling 3's all over the court, plenty of defensive effort, start thinking "we are the champions, we can't miss" - lose focus on defense, start missing 3's ........ you know the rest.

[RJ87]

Are we gonna back to the days when we can't keep it together when Jayson's off the floor? I guess so as long Zinger is out.

[jpotter33]

This unit does not look nearly as polished and cohesive as the last Tatum + bench unit.

[Silas]

This unit does not look nearly as polished and cohesive as the last Tatum + bench unit.

Early 2nd quarter 1st game...let's give them some time.

[RJ87]

Al is looking his age on defense. Hopefully it's just rust.

[tenn_smoothie]

Love seeing Tillman on the floor early.
Even when Porzingis returns, I think he needs to get regular minutes.
Would like to see Queta get some floor time as well.
This finesse team needs some muscle inside to provide a physical component and to knock people on their ass once in awhile.

[Neurotic Guy]

The shooting is great, but I like our effort on defense more.
Though ................ this game has "blown lead" written all over it.
Come out drilling 3's all over the court, plenty of defensive effort, start thinking "we are the champions, can't miss, lose focus on defense, start missing 3's ............ you know the rest.

Yeah, unfortunately blown lead feels a bit on the likely side.

What?s with McBride?  Keeping Knicks alive.

[mef730]

Jaylen Brown must be really upset about being left off the Olympics team. He hit consecutive free throws.

[jpotter33]

Oh my God, Tatum! And 17 threes in the first half?!

[Silas]

Great seeing JT back to dominating on offense.

[mef730]

If you have DVR, rewind a bit and watch Horford hand the ball to a kid in the front row before putting it back in play. Made that kid?s night.

[Muzzy66]

     Knicks are having to work really hard just to end up with low quality shots. I'm not impressed.
     Also, this grumpy old man is sick and tired of everyone hyping one-way players. I'm sorry Reggie Miller,  Brunson was NOT the best player in the '24 playoffs.

I said all last year that Brunson is overrated.

He is a good player don't get me wrong, but he's a 22-24 PPG scorer who put up higher then expected numbers last year because he was forced to carry the entire offense of a Knicks team that had no Julius Randle and no other real scorers to pick up the load.  His usage in both the regular season and especially the playoffs was through the roof.

Yet at the same time he really doesn't do much at a high level outside of scouring. His defence is meh, his playmaking is meh.  He's an excellent player and a legit All-Star, but a lot of people talk about him like he's a top 10 (and some even say MVP calibre) player and he just isn't. 

If you look up Celtics historical stats, Jaylen Brown is actually averaging 29-30 PPG in games where Tatum has not played since the two Jays came to Boston.  If you took Jaylen Brown and put him on last year's Knicks roster I guarantee you he would have averaged 29-30 PPG.

[Silas]

Solid 1st half of the 1st game on our way to #19!

[tenn_smoothie]

Nice to see Tatum shooting well.
I have a little fear in the back of my mind that he could unintentionally allow JB's duo playoff MVP's influence him and start forcing his offense to maybe chase a scoring title and League MVP award. He sure doesn't seem to be a selfish player and he has improved at involving his teammates, but you never know what gets in these guys heads. I'd like to see the opposite, a slight decrease in his scoring and an increase in assists and offensive rebounding. Adjust his game with the ONLY priority being to win games and win titles. Wanna be remembered as a legend ? Win titles in Boston and hang your number up there next to those banners.

[Silas]

Nice to see Tatum shooting well.
I have a little fear in the back of my mind that he could unintentionally allow JB's duo playoff MVP's influence him and start forcing his offense to maybe chase a scoring title and League MVP award. He sure doesn't seem to be a selfish player and he has improved at involving his teammates, but you never know what gets in these guys heads. I'd like to see the opposite, a slight decrease in his scoring and an increase in assists and offensive rebounding. Adjust his game with the ONLY priority being to win games and win titles. Wanna be remembered as a legend ? Win titles in Boston and hang your number up there next to those banners.

I'll take increase in scoring along with increase in assists...tonight 6 so far.