Observations on Losing to the Celtics

This was an ugly and unworthy game.

Throughout the Knicks were not hitting open shots. The Knicks poor shooting had very little to do with the Celtics defense. Lee, Chandler, and Gallinari were stone cold for most of the game.

Hughes has yet to fire up his offense. Jeffries, Darko, and Douglas who shouldn't shoot as much showed why.

Hopefully the Knicks never have an offensive outing this bad during the season.

Bad as the offense was in terms of scoring, the bright side was that often these were wide open, uncontested shots. That bodes well for the offensive scheme. As Frazier pointed out in commentary, however, having a player who recognizes the need to drive and score during droughts would be nice.

The highlight of the game was Milicic's disruptive presence. He played noticeable defense and re-routed the occasional loose ball back to the Knicks. What he gives he sometimes gives back but still represents a positive presence.

Toney Douglas continues to impress on defense.

Late in the game, Jordan Hill showed some heads up play and demonstrated some promise.

Though the Knicks lost, the game remained close until Chandler and Lee were injured in the second-half. Both appear to be alright but the runaway Knick meltdown in their absence shows just how integral Lee and to a lesser degree Chandler are to this team.

The Celtics continue their tradition as a classless bunch of thugs and this game is not indicative of how the Knicks will play them during the season. Gallo got his first taste of these goons and Lee will have something to remember these guys by come season play.

It is too early to call the Chandler at the two-guard a bust experiment but Gallo did not look ready for prime time starters duty at the three.

And Boston likes to play rough. It would be sweet to have Eddy Curry in game shape when Boston comes around. Lee, Jeffries, and Milicic got roughed up pretty good for a pre-season game.