Brian Scalabrini

Star players are getting minutes.

So there's not much to complain about.

When they were down 2-1, they made a nice adjustment on CJ McCollum.

They started trapping him, and they seemed to get energy from their defense against the Philadelphia 76ers outside of the game where Embiid didn't play.

I thought they had a game plan for Embiid.

And one thing I mentioned about the Knicks, I thought it last year, and I'm thinking it this year.

When they have a game plan, they stick with it.

It's not something that you see for like five minutes or ten minutes.

It is every possession throughout the entire game, and I give them credit.

I think they execute better than any team in the East.

One thing to mention about last year versus this year, I feel like the East was a lot better last year than it is this year, and the Knicks do look like the best team in the East.

I want to talk about Boston for a second because I think they're really smartly run.

They did replace four of their nine rotational guys.

They're more youthful in the post.

And I've said this, I think Jalen Brunson and Tatum are excellent.

I think they're much closer in talent.

I think Tatum's more fluid athletically.

I think Brown's more aggressive, maybe a bit stronger.

They're very, very good players.

But there are stories now that Brad Stevens, I mean, if you look around at OKC, Houston, San Antonio, you see these young, athletic, ascending rosters.