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Queeniepop
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Joined: 12/29/2006
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FROM NYKnicks.com
Knicks Set for Boston Test Tonight Oct. 17, 2007
The new-look Eastern Conference will be on display tonight in Boston, as Zach Randolph and the Knicks take on Kevin Garnett and the Celtics in a preseason meeting at TD Banknorth Garden.
Much has been made of the influx of talent that has come into conference in the off-season. Boston, in particular, has made over its roster, adding Ray Allen and perennial MVP-candidate Garnett. The team's new core of Paul Pierce, Allen and Garnett has brought visions of a championship to Celtics fans.
The Knicks, meanwhile, with a healthy roster and a unique post presence in Eddy Curry, Zach Randolph and David Lee are also poised for a maor turnaround this season, and these two teams will likely stage some furious battles over the next few years.
Tonight's preseason game is just the beginning of what will certainly be a renewed rivalry between the Knicks and Celtics. Knicks guard Jamal Crawford said he recognizes this game's significance, even if its result won't show up in the standings.
"It's just the preseason, but these are guys you are going to see all season long so its important to send a message and see where we stack up against the upper echelon teams in the Atlantic," Crawford said.
Many pundits have proclaimed the Celtics this season's "team to beat" in the East, so this game represents a kind of measuring stick that will help the Knicks see where they stand in the division and conference. While fans will look to see how different this Celtics team looks from ones in years past, that's not a focus for the Knicks players.
"I'm more excited to see how we'll do against them than to see what they look like," Crawford said. "I've seen them on TV but I'm excited to test our skills against theirs."
Tonight's game won't just help the Knicks measure their own progress -- it will also be the first game in which Curry and Zach Randolph have worked down low together outside of practice. This will be a learning experience for the team's two big men -- and a big test, since it's not always easy for two dominant big men will work together, sharing the same post space.
Curry had no concerns as he looked forward to the game at practice on Monday.
"I'm excited to go up against Garnett," he said. "With Zach, it will kind of even it out a little bit. Boston's got a great team. KG obviously is a great player, and has been one for a real long time, but I feel like with the moves that they've made, we're going to have some great matchups for years to come."
Crawford said he is particularly excited about the Curry-Randolph combination and can't wait to see how these players perform in Boston.
"Eddy and Zach look good," Crawford said. " Zach's done a good job feeding Eddy down in the post, and they look good playing together."
The Knicks also understand that this Celtics team will be one that they are measured against in the near future and that games against Boston take on new meaning given the hype surrounding the Celtics. Nevertheless, tonight's game is still about preparing for the regular season more than anything else, and if a statement can be made in the process, so much the better.
"We're looking forward to just playing," said guard Nate Robinson. "We're going to treat them just like any other team we've got to play. … We're just getting ready for them and taking each one of these games as steps getting ready for the season. It's big for our confidence and hopefully we can get past them."
Robinson is also excited about tonight's Curry-Randolph debut.
"I've seen Eddy and Zach together in training camp," he said. "They did real well together. It's not going to surprise our team, but it's going to surprise the world when they see what the two of them can do together"
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