(Big C) So far so good for the Knicks to start the season. The Knicks have won their first game and all of their preseason games. While fans and critics have wondered how this new Knicks team would start the season. The Knicks look more focused and determined to win than they’ve looked in ages. The biggest area of improvement is their defense.

The Knicks might have let the Celtics score 104 points but they have been playing aggressive defense. Last season the Knicks were one of the worst teams on the defensive end of the court. Last season it was a regular thing to see players with their hands down and not staying with their man. The Knicks players did not speak to each other, they did not chase after the open man, they just didn’t have their teammates back.

So far this season the Knicks have communicated with their teammates. More importantly they are getting back on defense. The Knicks would never got stops when they needed to. Last night the Knicks were determined to shut their opponents down from coming back and beating them. Tyson Chandler sets the tone for turning up the defensive intensity. The Knicks had quite a number stops to prevent the Celtics from taking the lead or tie the game.

Last season when opponents tied the game with or took the lead over the Knicks would just give up playing defense. The end result would be the Knicks losing the game. Last season if the offense was not flowing the defense would suffer. The players would lose their focus and confidence when their shots were not falling. This year the Knicks defense pushes the Knicks offense. The new Knicks have an understanding that it’s going to be the defense that sets off their offense. Everyone from Mike D’Antoni is speaking defense but it looks like fans are actually going to see a difference this season.

Tyson Chandler is having a great effect on his teammates. It’s hard to believe that one person can make such a dramatic impact on the game. Teams that play against the Knicks will think twice about driving to the hole with Chandler protecting the basket . In the Celtics game Chandler had 6 block shots by himself. Those are numbers Knick fans are not use to since the days of Patrick Ewing and Marcus Camby. The Knicks as a team had 11 block shots and 9 steals vs the Celtics.

The Knicks defense is still a work in progress. The Knicks still need to work on their interior defense and stopping fast break points. But you must admit they are making great improvements by playing team defense. The Knicks half court traps have led to turnovers and shot clock violations. This was not the case last season.

The Knicks look like they are on a mission to go to the top this season and playing hard nose defense is what is going to get them there.

Knicks fans, this could be the year we hear the chants of D-E-F-E-N-S-E reminiscent of the 90’s.

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