By David Thorpe & Anthony Macri
The Boston Celtics may not have the aura they did in the last few years as a team that could pull together a championship run this season, but they have still had one of the most impressive seasons on the defensive end of any team. They finished the year 1st in points allowed per game and 2nd in defensive rating, and they held opponents to the lowest assist total in the league. This team is built on a defense that prevents the opposition from doing what it does best and second best, and forces teams to create new options where none existed before. They started the season as hot as any team not named San Antonio, but cooled slightly over the course of the year and finished the season playing only marginally over .500 ball in February, March, and April. Boston’s four All-Star performers are the headliners, and Paul Pierce is playing one of the most efficient seasons in this, his 13th year.
When New York Knicks fans discuss the season, it will be easy to break it down into two distinct time periods: Before Melo and After Melo. However, while the Knicks are certainly a different team since the trade that landed them Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, the record and issues of inconsistency never really changed. Prior to the trade, the Knicks were 28-26, and they finished the season going exactly .500 the rest of the way, ending with a 42-40 record. They play at the third fastest pace in the league, ending a large number of their possessions with a 3-point attempt, as only one team shot and made more from long range this year than New York (Orlando). Momentum seems to play as big a role in their success (and failure) as any other single factor, as the Knicks have multiple winning and losing streaks of five or more games strewn throughout their regular season-something that could be very significant in a seven-game series.
The Boston Celtics may not have the aura they did in the last few years as a team that could pull together a championship run this season, but they have still had one of the most impressive seasons on the defensive end of any team. They finished the year 1st in points allowed per game and 2nd in defensive rating, and they held opponents to the lowest assist total in the league. This team is built on a defense that prevents the opposition from doing what it does best and second best, and forces teams to create new options where none existed before. They started the season as hot as any team not named San Antonio, but cooled slightly over the course of the year and finished the season playing only marginally over .500 ball in February, March, and April. Boston’s four All-Star performers are the headliners, and Paul Pierce is playing one of the most efficient seasons in this, his 13th year.
When New York Knicks fans discuss the season, it will be easy to break it down into two distinct time periods: Before Melo and After Melo. However, while the Knicks are certainly a different team since the trade that landed them Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, the record and issues of inconsistency never really changed. Prior to the trade, the Knicks were 28-26, and they finished the season going exactly .500 the rest of the way, ending with a 42-40 record. They play at the third fastest pace in the league, ending a large number of their possessions with a 3-point attempt, as only one team shot and made more from long range this year than New York (Orlando). Momentum seems to play as big a role in their success (and failure) as any other single factor, as the Knicks have multiple winning and losing streaks of five or more games strewn throughout their regular season-something that could be very significant in a seven-game series.
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