The NBA is back and New York Knicks fans are back to being frustrated and feelings uncertainty again after their team’s blowout loss to the Boston Celtics, 109-132.
Many of the NBA’s so-called analyst put the Knicks as among the Top 3 teams in the East after blockbuster moves in the offseason, specifically the acquisition of Mikal Bridges and All-Star Karl Anthony Towns. Many were also heavily invested on OG Anunoby’s rise, which prompted Knicks executives to give him a $212 million contract.
The excitement instantly dissipated against the Celtics though on Tuesday as coach Tom Thibodeau’s squad were beaten down right from the get go.
The defensive end was lacking for the Knicks as they allowed the Celtics to tie the record for most made threes in a game at 29.
“Tom Thibodeau needs to be fired,” one X user said.
Other people went after the team’s trade decision.
“Knicks really traded 5 firsts for a dude 0/4 rn,” said another user.
“If you’ve ever wondered what Thibs nightmares look like – it was the Knicks defense over those first 24 minutes,” said long-time Knicks fan Tommy Beer of the show “Knicks-Centric Substack: “What’s on Tap” Knicks Fan?”.
How did New York Knicks’ latest acquisitions performed?
The starting line-up tried their best against the Celtics, playing no less than 30 minutes each. However, they weren’t just effective as anyone would expect from the team projected to finish Top 3 in the East.
KAT took only nine shots and attempted just twice from the three point line to end up with -18 plus/minus. Mikal Bridges was the worst player on the floor with -33 plus/minus. He shot 2 out of 7 from the three, intensifying fears from fans that his decision to change his shooting form is wrong.
Anunoby, on his 2nd year as a Knick, was ineffective, too, scoring just four points while playing the second most minutes. Jalen Brunson led the team with 22 points on an efficient 9-out-of-14 shooting.
Over at the Celtics, maybe they are just too good. Jaylen Brown scored 37 points and dished out 10 assists while Jayson Tatum contributed 23 points and 7 rebounds.
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