Boston Celtics @ New York Knicks: 1/21/08 - Game Preview and Open Game Thread

The last time the Boston Celtics played on Martin Luther King Jr. Day they lost to the Atlanta Hawks. What a difference a year makes. Of the nine players that saw time that day (Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Kendrick Perkins, Rajon Rondo, Allan Ray, Leon Powe and Michael Olowokandi) only Perk, Powe and Rondo remain. Furthermore, Green and Ray each scored 22 points to lead the Celtics in scoring. Ray is now out of the league and Green can't find minutes on an awful Minnesota Timberwolves team. Although Big Al's team leading 17 rebounds that day were in fact a harbinger of things to come. On the bright side Green did the following in the loss:

But more importantly the Celtics face a Knicks team today that has won 4 of its last 5 games. These two teams have not met since Boston embarrassed New York on TNT. Actually the Knicks embarrassed themselves. They did not play any defense and openly quit on their coach. Yet Isiah is still running the show and if the Knicks cared defensively they could have a lot more streaks like the current one they are on.

5 Points on the Knicks:

5. Nate Robinson is quietly become a more complete player. For example last season he had 90 assists in 1,356 minutes. This season he already has 91 dimes in only 833 minutes. Thanks to NBA.com for the stats.
4. If you look at the Knicks' salaries it will absolutely blow your mind. It's not just the money. The bigger issue is that they are bringing back the same core next year as well.
3. Jamal Crawford lit it up a few times in January already. And he did THIS to Kirk Hinrich. That was silly. Unfortunately, Crawford fits right in with this squad defensively. Remember that's not a good thing.
2. There are a lot of things about Jerome James I don't understand. His contract and lack of effort were at the top of the list. But then he essentially said that he does not want to play.
1. Stephon Marbury. He gave us Starbury shoes, the Stephen A. Smith parody,  and everything in this column, which of course touches on what Gilbert Arenas called "The Interview of the Century". But now Marbury may be out for the season and the Knicks might actually be better off. That's right he makes $20 million and no one is sad to see him go. Although we'll always have, YES SIR!
   

In closing I really don't want the Celtics to lose to the Knicks. Hey I'm the same guy that shrugged off back-to-back losses to the Wizards. But this is different. Also check out Posting and Toasting to keep tabs on the enemy.