New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics: A Foggy Mirror Image

The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics Have Elite Defensive Potential

Despite having an extremely unreliable rotation in 2020-21, the Boston Celtics managed to have the 11th best defensive rating.

This is partially unsurprising when you consider this team deploys Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart, all of whom are All-NBA Defense caliber players.

So, not only did those guys (their best three players) carry the team on offense, but they play stellar defense as well.

Now imagine what the Celtics can do with reinforcements?

Al Horford, Dennis Schroder, and Josh Richardson are all at the least positives on defense. In Horford’s case, he can anchor an elite defense. Robert Williams III is also a pretty good shot-blocker and can continue to evolve on that end.

Expect the Celtics to be among the league’s best defensive teams this season. Therefore, you can expect them to be up there with the New York Knicks’ defense.

New York should return this season as a nightmare for opposing offenses once again. Even with Elfrid Payton and Reggie Bullock being replaced by Walker and Fournier, they have remained devastating on D in the preseason.

Walker and Fournier have given great effort so far, as you would expect from players coached by Tom Thibodeau.

And don’t forget, Mitchell Robinson is returning as the man in the middle. He is bigger and stronger than ever.

Robinson is reported to be 280 pounds now, so if he stays healthy he can be even more of a menace in the paint.

The Celtics have way more individually talented defenders, but the Knicks play a brand of team defense that is as tough as they come.

Both squads should be locking down opponents with the potential to be top 5 NBA defenses.