Boston won its fourth consecutive division title following a 56-26 regular season. The Celtics swept New York out of the first round of the playoffs before losing in five games to Miami.
Boston also swept the four-game regular season series.Despite not winning one game between the two, the Knicks believe talent-wise they can compete with Boston, having added Tyson Chandler to a team that already included forwards Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire.
Chandler brings some needed defensive energy to New York. The Knicks, who went 42-40 last season, were 28th in the league in scoring defense, giving up 105.7 points per game.While coach Mike D'Antoni has long been known for his high-scoring offenses, the team is preaching defense entering the new season.
"I feel like if we're as committed as we say we are to winning a championship and really going after that dream, then we'll be committed on the defensive end, because that's the only way you can get it done," said Chandler, who averaged 10.1 points and 9.4 rebounds last season to help Dallas win a championship.
Maybe no team stresses defense more than Boston, which gave up a league-low 91.1 points per game last season.
However, New York may be in good position to overtake Boston with Chandler joining Stoudemire and Anthony to provide the Knicks with arguably the league's most talented frontcourt.
Anthony concedes that comparisons could be made to the way this New York squad is built and the way Boston's "Big Three" of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen won an NBA championship in 2008.
"We have a chance to do some big things," he said. "Boston did a great job of guys coming together at the right time in their careers. A lot of things weren't going their way, but they came together as one and they won a championship."
Anthony averaged 26.3 points in 27 games for the Knicks after his trade from Denver. He underwent offseason surgeries on his left knee and elbow.Stoudemire dealt with back issues last season but was still a force, averaging 25.3 points and 8.2 rebounds. A tight NBA schedule could be tough on him, but he said the long lockout may help.- http://msn.foxsports.com/
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