Indifferent defense or just overmatched against Kevin Garnett, either way tonight’s season opening Knicks loss to the T-Wolves is hard to draw conclusions from. Shot selection aside, in Jamal Crawford the Knicks have a backcourt scoring option other than Stephon Marbury (above) that they’ll sorely need with Allan Houston out for who knows how long. Though the former’s tendency to shoot first and ask quesions later might win him a job for life on the NYPD, it was hard to watch Crawford’s ugly misses in the 2nd half — many of ’em due to Trenton Hassell hassling the former Bull.

New York had no answers for Kevin Garnett, whose 28 points and 20 rebounds paced Minnesota to a 99-93 victory.

At the Meadowlands, the econo-Nets were throttled by the Miami Shaq’s, 100-77. The Jacque Vaughn Era is off to an inauspicious start in New Jersey, but I say give the former Jayhawk time. He’s been a winner everywhere he’s played. Not necessarily in basketball, but it is possible to put too much emphasis on hoops. If you don’t believe me, ask Bruce Ratner, who didn’t build a real estate empire by hanging around a gym all day.