The New York Knicks are entering the 2024-25 NBA season amid high expectations following the success of the WNBA's Liberty, which recently ended a lengthy championship drought for the city. However, their opening game against the Boston Celtics proved disastrous, resulting in a 132-109 defeat that raised serious concerns about the team's defensive capabilities and overall performance. Coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged the need for improvement, emphasizing that more consistent effort is required against top-tier teams like the Celtics. Despite a strong roster on paper, featuring several key players in their primes, the Knicks have faced challenges during preseason, including doubts about individual roles and injuries to key bench players. Fans are hopeful but wary, given the team's long history of underperformance despite their enduring loyalty. The Knicks' upcoming games will be critical in determining whether they can live up to the hype and expectations set for this season.