In an email slugged ‘I no longer hate the Knicks,’ a Hub Blog reader and long-time Celts fan writes in about the new NBA champs:

Maybe it’s reaching a certain stage in life. I still grimace a little every time I hear about the Knicks’ ‘first championship in 53 years’ because the Celtics were by far the best team in 1973 and were only stopped by a serious John Havlicek shoulder injury (suffered while playing the Knicks…) But even that is fading.    

Two words: Jalen Brunson. Just gets it done.

Two more words: The Team. Despite stars and big salaries, they complement each other.

The Celtics did a few things differently from the Knicks in the last part of this season, and infamously during the playoffs last year:

– The Celtics started games well. The Knicks finished games well.

– The Celtics fired at will from long distance. The Knicks mixed up their offense.

– The Celtics forgot about the supporting cast that served them well during the regular season this year. The Knicks used the same people in the same ways throughout the playoffs. When they fell behind early they didn’t overuse the starters to try to stay alive. Back to *The Team* above.

Geez, the Knicks are even rivaling us on the historical front with Ewing, Oakley and Clyde the Glide showing up prominently for games!

I am not going so far as buying a blue-and-orange #11 jersey! But I hope this playoff season is a great motivator for the Celtics – because the Knicks are currently the benchmark, and one that must be respected.

I’ve heard a number of Celts fans expressing similar admiration for the Knicks. I gotta say: I’m among the admirers. I love their style of play.