CONFIRMED: NEW YORK KNICKS LEGEND RETURNS — Patrick Ewing to Join New York Knicks basketball Staff in Shocking Comeback, Set to Take Over as New Offensive Assistant in Strategic Power Move Aimed at Reviving Championship-Caliber Offense and Reconnecting Program with Its Storied Legacy of Greatness…….. Read full article

The New York Knicks are riding high after a hard-fought victory in Game 6 over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night, a win that sealed their place in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. This playoff series triumph marks a significant moment for the franchise and its fans, who have long awaited sustained postseason success.

However, the road ahead becomes considerably more difficult, as the Knicks now face the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the second round — a team whose strengths seem tailor-made to exploit New York’s most persistent weaknesses.Throughout the 2024–25 regular season, the Knicks struggled to consistently defend the perimeter.

Their defensive rotations often broke down under ball movement, allowing opponents to find open looks from three-point range. Against teams with elite shooting and high basketball IQ, New York’s defensive scheme has often been exposed, and unfortunately for the Knicks, no team in the NBA embodies those qualities more than the Boston Celtics.Boston dominated the league this season when it came to volume and efficiency from beyond the arc.

The Celtics led the NBA in three-point attempts by a wide margin, hoisting over 48 shots per game from deep. Not only did they shoot often, but they did so with precision, knocking down an average of 17 threes per game at a 37% clip — one of the best marks in the league. Their perimeter attack is anchored by a balanced offensive system that thrives on spacing, unselfish play, and rapid ball movement, all of which generate high-quality shots for a roster loaded with shooters.

While Boston’s three-point prowess dipped noticeably in their first-round matchup against the Orlando Magic — where they shot a league-low 26% from distance — that drop-off is not expected to continue against the Knicks. Orlando’s defensive success against the Celtics came from a unique blend of factors. The Magic possess multiple long, athletic defenders who can switch effectively across positions, coupled with a disruptive defensive game plan that emphasized closing out hard on shooters and cutting off passing lanes.

Their personnel allowed them to contest shots without overcommitting, an approach that few teams, including New York, are equipped to replicate.In contrast, the Knicks do not have the same depth of defensive versatility or the length required to consistently pressure shooters on the perimeter. Their defensive identity is more focused on physicality and protecting the paint, which could be a liability against a Celtics squad that doesn’t rely heavily on attacking the rim.

Boston’s offensive design is built around creating space and generating rhythm threes through quick passes and intelligent off-ball movement — areas where New York’s defense can sometimes falter, particularly when forced into reactive mode.

If the Celtics can get back to their regular-season shooting form, the Knicks may find themselves in a difficult position. New York’s offense, while capable, doesn’t typically operate with the same level of efficiency or explosiveness from deep.

This means that falling behind early in games could put immense pressure on their half-court sets and limit their ability to keep pace.Ultimately, while the Knicks deserve credit for their first-round performance and the grit they’ve shown all year, their next opponent presents a far greater challenge. The Celtics are not just another playoff team — they are a legitimate title contender with a style of play that directly targets New York’s vulnerabilities.

If the Knicks hope to keep their playoff run alive, they’ll need to make significant adjustments on the defensive end, particularly when it comes to covering the three-point line and handling Boston’s dynamic ball movement.

Will the Knicks rise to the occasion, or will the Celtics’ firepower prove too much to handle? That question will define the series ahead