Knicks Don’t Scare Celtics, But Playoff Matchup Looms

Knicks Secure Gritty Win, But Celtics Remain East Favorites

The New York Knicks pulled out a hard-fought victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, but the debate rages on: how much stock should we put into this win? While the Knicks showed grit and playoff-level execution, analysts on First Take largely agree that the Celtics still hold the edge in a potential Eastern Conference playoff series.

Perk’s Take: Knicks Lack Intimidation Factor

Stephen A. Smith, known as ‘Perk’, was quick to downplay the significance of the Knicks’ win. “The New York Knicks don’t scare soul. Not even on Halloween,” he declared. Perk acknowledged that while Jayson Tatum didn’t have his best shooting night, he wasn’t overly concerned about the Celtics’ confidence.

“Listen, was this win important for the New York Knicks? Absolutely. Did this mean anything for the Boston Celtics? Did they leave out of Madison Square Garden lacking confidence or saying that they still can’t reach that goal or they shouldn’t be the favorites to come out of the East? Hell no.”

Perk pointed to the Celtics’ championship experience and coaching staff as reasons they remain the team to beat in the East. He also noted that Tatum’s role isn’t to be the sole offensive force, especially with other players like Peyton Pritchard and Derrick White contributing.

David’s View: Knicks Showed Playoff Readiness

On the other side, David argued that the Knicks’ win, and their recent performances, deserve significant attention. He highlighted the team’s improved offensive execution, particularly the two-man game between Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, and Josh Hart’s ability to hit open shots.

“We got to give Mike Brown a little bit of credit here,” David stated, praising the Knicks’ coaching. He emphasized that Brunson is closing out games at a playoff level, showing the team’s ability to execute in clutch moments.

“And there is a chess match that is going to happen between them and the Celtics. I still think the Celtics are probably favorite against this Knicks team, but if you’re the Knicks, you do not fear this Celtics team in the way that you that other people think they should.”

David believes the Knicks have the defensive personnel, like Josh Hart, O.G. Anunoby, and RJ Barrett, to match up well against the Celtics’ star wings, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He recalled the Knicks beating the Celtics in the playoffs last year, suggesting a similar confidence is warranted.

The Celtics’ Perspective: Health and Depth Matter

Perk pushed back on the idea that the Knicks’ defensive wings could completely neutralize the Celtics. He stressed the importance of Jaylen Brown, calling him an MVP candidate and one of the best two-way players in the game.

“Last year, I had the Knicks picked to beat the Boston Celtics, right? Because they had an identity at the time. I knew who they was. I knew what they were going to bring defensively night in and night out. I don’t know what this team is under the coach uh this team is going to play like under the coaching of Mike Brown. I knew who they were under the Tom Tibido,” Perk said, contrasting current Knicks’ identity with previous years.

He also raised concerns about how the Knicks’ bigs, like Karl-Anthony Towns, would handle the Celtics’ small-ball lineups in a playoff setting. Perk reminded everyone that a healthy Celtics team boasts a top-five offense and defense.

Knicks’ Defensive Identity and Mitchell Robinson

David countered by highlighting the Knicks’ strong defense, noting they are still a top-10 defensive team this season. He specifically praised Mitchell Robinson as a defensive disruptor who can significantly impact the game when healthy.

“We look at what the Celtics did last year in the playoffs. They were fearful of that guy Mitchell Robinson,” David stated. He believes that while effort is key for the Knicks’ defense, there’s no reason to doubt their maximum effort against a team like Boston in the playoffs.

Looking Ahead: A Potential Playoff Showdown

Despite the differing opinions on the Knicks’ current standing, there’s a consensus that a playoff series between these two teams would be compelling. Perk reiterated his stance that the Celtics, even without Jaylen Brown in the last game, still have too many advantages. He isn’t overreacting to one win.

The conversation then shifted to the Lakers and Rockets, with the analysts largely agreeing that the Lakers are heavily disadvantaged without LeBron James and other key players. Most predicted a short series, with the Rockets favored despite their own late-game struggles.

Source: Perk on Knicks’ win vs. Celtics: They don’t SCARE A SOUL, not even on HALLOWEEN 💀 | First Take (YouTube)