HARTFORD — The Knicks are now older than the Celtics but have they gotten better?
Before the Knicks look to dethrone the defending champion Heat, they want to dethrone the five-time defending Atlantic Division champion Celtics. Last night in a preseason game, the Knicks prevailed 98-95 in overtime at XL Center, but the game was decided long after the Celtics had removed all their rotation players.
Boston coach Doc Rivers is happy the Knicks have the distinction of being the league’s oldest team, replacing Boston. But Rivers wouldn’t go as far as saying the Knicks are their toughest challenge in the division.
“I think they’re good moves,’’ Rivers said of the Knicks’ additions of Jason Kidd (39), Marcus Camby (38), Raymond Felton (28) and his former player Rasheed Wallace (38). “They surpassed us as being the oldest team. We enjoyed that — being called the new, young kids on the block. But all of them can play, all have great knowledge. I think they’ll help them.’’
Does he consider the Knicks their toughest Atlantic threat?
“It’s a deep division,’’ Rivers said. “New York’s one of them. Philly is improved when you add an [Andrew] Bynum to your team, you’re a better basketball team. Brooklyn has improved. It’s going to be a hard division. We preferred the way it was two, three years ago. Now you got to fight to win this division.’’
As feared, the Knicks already are injury-prone.
Amar’e Stoudemire missed his second straight game last night with a bruised left knee and didn’t make the trip.Wallace, who retired as a Celtic two years ago, hasn’t been cleared to scrimmage and Camby is still out with a sore calf. J.R. Smith also didn’t play yesterday because of a sore ankle as their top three shooting guards are all out (Ronnie Brewer, Iman Shumpert, Smith).
Meanwhile, Rivers said he isn’t shocked Wallace has conditioning issues, remembering his lone season (2009-10) with the Celtics.
“I thought his issue wasn’t that he should retire,’’ Rivers said. “His issue was that he needed to get in better condition. Even with us, he needed to get in better condition. He’s too skilled. I don’t know now he’s been out two years, but I thought he was too skilled to retire at the point he retired.
”I’ve got a feeling the Knicks will have a spike in technicals this year,’’ Rivers cracked.
Kevin Garnett also had fun at Wallace’s expense.
“[Rasheed] usually has all the time in the world to text me and get on my nerves,’’ Garnett said. “So now I get to get on his [butt] about getting in shape that I’ve been reading about. But it will be good to see him on the floor.’’
Carmelo Anthony, who scored 23 points in 23:48 yesterday, sitting out the fourth quarter, knows the importance of an Atlantic crown. The Knicks’ first division title in 19 years would give them a top 4 Eastern Conference seed and home court in the first round.
“Our goal is to win a division championship,’’ Anthony said recently. “We believe we’re one of the top two or three teams that’s out there in the East.’’
The Knicks’ 36-30 lockout-induced record was three games behind the first-place Celtics last season. Consider Boston had won the division by an average 17 games in the previous four seasons and it‘s progress.
The Celtics are proving age doesn’t matter — a good omen. The Celtics surprised many last season in getting to the conference finals, then taking Miami to a seventh game. After the loss, the critics sang the same tired tune — Boston’s era had ended.
Wrong again. Garnett, in a twist, decided against retiring and re-signed.
Despite Ray Allen’s betrayal in signing with Miami, the Celtics did well to replace his loss. They signed combo guard, Jason Terry, and Courtney Lee to ease the burden on Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo. And they are still the Atlantic favorites.