Darko, Knicks Impressive Defensively
If there’s one thing Darko Milicic showed on the court Friday night in Boston, it’s his ability to take advantage of his size. Listed at 7-feet - but looking much taller - Milicic bullied his way for rebounds, caused deflections and altered shots just by standing in the vicinity of opposing players.
The Knicks’ new big man was the most active defensive player on the court every time he got into the game. And with his team struggling on offense throughout, Milicic’s play helped keep things close for three quarter before the Celtics pulled away late and handed the Knicks a 96-82 loss in their second preseason game.
“When I get in the game, I’m trying to bring the energy defensively,” said Milicic, who was traded to the Knicks from Memphis in June. “If these guys feel my energy, we’re going to play good as a team.”
Milicic’s numbers might not stick out a whole lot in the box score – eight rebounds and two steals – but it’s the way he hustles and does the little things that could earn him playing time this season. For example, when Celtics forward Glen Davis went to post up, Milicic pulled the chair out from under him and Davis was whistled for an offensive foul.
Milicic, who sat out the second half of last weekend’s preseason matchup against the Nets in Albany because of a sore left knee, played 16 minutes. He backed up starter David Lee, who picked up four early fouls, and helped the Knicks hold the Celtics to 35.7 percent shooting in the first half. Boston shot 43.9 percent for the game.
“(Milicic) gives us some length and some good stuff,” Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni said.
The focus of training camp this season was to get better defensively, and the Knicks have shown that they’re making the effort. It’s just a matter of time before things start clicking. They did, however, make a statement in the first half when, despite shooting 2-for-20 from 3-point range, they trailed the Celtics 41-33 at halftime.
“Normal times with our defense we would have been down 30 or 40,” Lee said.
“I think we’re doing a better job communicating and overall I think we’re better individually defending than we were last year.”
The Knicks’ lack of size last season also affected their defense, but this year they have enough height and talent to play a lineup that features four players of 6-8 or taller. New York has the offensive firepower to be a force in the league, but it lack the defense that makes teams like the Celtics championship contenders.
“They’re long,” D’Antoni said of the Celtics.” They probably threw us a little bit.”
The Knicks are hoping to throw some teams off with their length this season as well. And that could start with Milicic.
Notes: Wilson Chandler went down with a knee injury. “I felt a sharp pain and I thought it was a serious injury,” he said. “But he just bumped the side of my knee. I just needed to walk it off I guess.” ... Lee pointed out before the game that Robinson will be able to spot out his old fans in the crowd this season by the ones who are wearing his No. 4 jersey. Robinson switched to No. 2 this season in honor of his idol growing up, Deion Sanders ... Lee received five stitched over his left eye.
