Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Teletovic, Celtics

Despite what some may believe, the Knicks‘ goal was never to lose games this season, as Al Iannazzone of Newsday writes.  “I do believe that we put a lot of hard work in to kind of get to this point,” Knicks star Carmelo Anthony said. “To see the results of winning basketball games after the work we put in, after the chemistry we’re trying to build, the culture that we’re trying to build, just to see us put together a few wins right now is a great feeling.”  More from the Atlantic Division..

• Odds are strong Nets three-point shooting specialist Mirza Teletovic will recover from his pulmonary embolism and play at some point next season in the NBA.  However, medical experts tell Marc Berman of the New York Post that there are no guarantees this doesn’t turn into a career-threatening episode.  Teletovic is a restricted free agent this summer.
• All of the losing will have been worthwhile for the Knicks if they can land Jahlil Okafor, opines Fred Kerber of the New York Post.  A scout who spoke with Kerber loved his upside, saying teams “see the next LeBron or Kevin Durant down the road.”  Meanwhile, one NBA GM called him “the No. 1 pick without question.”
• The Celtics‘ extreme makeover is nearing the final stretch, writes Jeremy Gottlieb of Boston.com.  Gottlieb writes that there’s still more work to be done, however, including trading Brandon Bass and figuring out what to do with Jared Sullinger.
• With Celtics big man Kelly Olynyk out of action, Bass can now improve his trade value, writes Brian Robb of Boston.com.