Listen, Knicks-Celts series sounds weird

One coach said this: "We just didn't play well. We didn't execute very well."

The other said this: "I probably have never been more proud of a team."

Such are the strange circumstances of the Knicks' first-round playoff series against the Celtics that the first guy, Doc Rivers, had just won his second game in two tries Tuesday night.

So grumpy was his demeanor that when he added, "I am extremely happy -- I think you can tell that," many reporters laughed out loud. The second guy, Mike D'Antoni, had just lost for the second time in three nights when his team had the ball with a chance to win in the final 10 seconds.

He was facing daunting historical odds and the uncertain health of two of his three best players.

He needed to win four of his next five with a franchise that has not won a single postseason game in 10 years and hasn't won in its last 11 attempts in Boston. This was the weirdest part of all: Unlike many teams in their position, the Knicks could not be accused of being in denial or delusional as they put up a brave front.

If they return to good health -- a huge if -- there is no reason they cannot get back into the series against an opponent running mostly on fumes other than the maddening blur that is Rajon Rondo.

After a performance that forever will be a part of Knicks playoff lore, Carmelo Anthony sounded like Game 3 Friday night couldn't arrive soon enough. "For the most part, we are playing our ---- off, man," he said. "For guys who this is their first time in the playoffs, for them to be stepping up to the plate like that, taking on the challenge against a championship team like the Celtics, we're doing great."

OK, "great" might be a bit strong. At least Anthony was. He totaled 42 points, 17 rebounds and six assists, then pronounced the experience "fun, for the most part." (Memo to Melo: You get a pass on using the word "fun" this one time. Henceforth, avoid it when discussing a postseason loss.)

But Anthony's pals had their ups and downs, including the deflating moment when Jared Jeffries tried to get the ball to Bill Walker in the final seconds, only to have it stolen by Kevin Garnett. Walker was 0-for-11 from the field at the time.

Again: weird times. The Knicks' moxie was so impressive it complicated the customary postmortem venting on the radio and Internet, where praise and strategic second-guessing were forced to share time and space.

If Amar'e Stoudemire or Chauncey Billups had been on the court, perhaps it would have been ended better for the Knicks. If they are Friday, it just might.

Even before it began, there was debate about how to assess this series. The Knicks naturally said winning was the objective, but for most of the rest of us, a long, competitive battle en route to a brighter future would suffice. The Knicks have delivered on the competitive part so far. But will it be long? They likely must win Friday to make that a reality. After the events in Boston, there is little reason to doubt they can if they are at or near full strength.

Anthony said the experience of Game 2 would give the role players confidence moving forward. Add Stoudemire and/or Billups to that and, who knows?

"I'm excited," Anthony said.

"I think our heads are high, the locker room is good and they're confident," D'Antoni said. "I can't wait until Friday."

It was more than the winning coach could say.