There was a game played between the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics Wednesday night, but NO...it wasn't the start of the playoffs. Just a meaningless scrimmage that had less intensity than a summer league game, distinguished by Amare getting some (greater than expected) minutes to get some time on the court after missing the last three games with an ankle injury. Quick thoughts:

*  Amare looked decent basketball-wise and completely healthy. If I were inclined to panic, I might make a note about how he looked more like the reduced elevation, tired Amare of the last 30 games...but it was probably all that bubble wrap around him that caused him to miss a dunk and go the paint very cautiously. Viewed in that light, it was kind of impressive to see him score the few times he went to the basket, and he had two effortless tip ins over the bench players the Celtics had out there. I expect he'll go harder in the practices before Game 1 and come out pretty amped on Sunday night.

*  I had the Celtics announcers, and only Tommy Heinsohn, bless his soul, agonizes over the whistles in a game this meaningless and hands out his Tommy points. To his credit, by the second half even he gave up caring, and he ended up sharing stories about this early playing days, how much he used to make, and how he earned the grudging approval of his father for the success of his playing career. Also shared a story (that he apparently told Rondo) about what it's like to be a part of a game like the 1976 triple overtime playoff game against the Suns and how hard it is to get your adrenaline in control in a game of such intensity to do simple things like make free throws. Good times.

*  Anthony Carter saw a younger, more banshee-like version of himself faced up against Avery Bradley, and ended up suffering for it. AC did have a George Gervin like finger roll in the third quarter that he launched from his hip that was extremely impressive (by AC standards).

* If there was anything remotely useful in watching a game like this, it's gettting a coaches' perspective on what it's like to judge players based on practice relative to the actual games, and how certain traits stand out. So while I've been a little hard on poor Landry Fields for some of his shot selection in the wake of the trade, in last night's scrimmage he still looked a step savvier and stronger than many of his teammates. Good for him.

*  If Roger Mason makes any more appearances for the Knicks this year, it probably won't be a good sign (injury or ejection of other Knick guards, or a hellacious blowout).

*  I caught this game on DVR, and truth be told, I stopped watching during the fourth quarter to watch what could be the final game at Arco Arena between the Lakers and Kings on live broadcast. Terrible game for three quarters, then it turned unforgettable and heartbreaking at the end...I mean really wrenching. Tom Ziller of Sactown Royalty summarizes it all beautifully.

I watched many late night League Pass games played by the Kings over the past two seasons, and though the team hasn't been good in a while, it was unmistakable how much the community loved the team. Some of my fondest League Pass memories involve Bill Walton doing play by play with the Kings announcers this season in his purple tie dyed Kings/Grateful Dead t-shirt. And I have even fonder memories of the Kings going back to the start of the decade with the Webber-Divac teams and their unforgettable playoff matches against the Lakers.

*  I've watched all 164 Knick games over the past two seasons, a few several times, and dutifully looked at box scores, play by play logs, lineup variations, shot charts, etc. After last night's Knick game, I didn't bother with the box score or anything else, a first. Time for the playoffs!

Knicks-Celtics playoff preview coming tomorrow.