THE Knicks We are a team built on consistency. Jalen Brunson is a safe bet to score efficiently almost every night while manipulating his way to scores via pull-up jumpers. Cities of Karl-Anthony recorded a double-double in all but three games. Mikal Bridges never missed a game during his eight-year career.
The consistency is excellent. But every now and then, a joker who can change the pace or tenor of a match is needed. This wild card for the Knicks is Josh Hart. After a slow start to the season, Hart has stepped up as of late and is helping the team overcome injuries on the perimeter. OG Anunoby And Landry Shamet.
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After starting the season as a reserve, Hart became a startersubstitute Mitchell Robinson. He brings a burst of energy to the game with versatility, crazy runs in transition and rushing plays.
THE Knicks win at home 118-109 against the Bucks Friday night propelled the club into the round of 16 of the NBA Cup tournament. Hart was everywhere in the victory, putting up 19 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. With Anunoby out, Hart stepped in to take on the Giannis Antetokounmpo defensive mission despite a significant deficit.
The performance against the Bucks was par for the course for Hart. His efficiency improved as he completed the entire stat sheet. In the last 13 games, he averaged 13.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists. He also found range, shooting 40.1 percent from beyond the arc in that span.
On the rebound
Hart has had ups and downs on the outside throughout his career. He still needs to be aggressive as a scorer to keep a defense honest. Teams will sag even more if he doesn’t, messing up the running lanes of Brunson and Towns.
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He’s shot better so far this season, but Hart is a career 34.2 percent three-point shooter. To weaken Brunson-Towns’ pick-and-roll, many opponents put a wing on Towns while hiding their center on Hart.
In Friday’s victory, the Bucks had Myles Turner guarding Hart throughout the game while Antetokounmpo checked on Towns. The Knicks looked to fit Turner into every Brunson pick-and-roll. As the Bucks bombarded Brunson, it allowed Hart to attack in the short roll. He had some good opportunities to create. A key element was Hart’s discovery Miles McBride for an open corner, three on a short roll.
Hart’s first four games were rough – he scored just 11 points on 4-of-19 shooting. During the spell, he was not in a good mood, leaving open looks.
It’s no surprise that Hart played poorly early in the season. A back injury kept him out for most of the preseason and season opener. A nerve damage in right hand was also a setback. The start of this season was an adjustment for Hart, coming off the bench. He started all 77 games he played in last year.
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One of the head coaches Mike Brown’s goals with the Knicks was to get them to play faster and create easier scoring opportunities. Hart’s ability to push the pace is an underrated skill that the Knicks could use more often. They average 16.1 fast break points per 100 possessions when Hart is on the floor, compared to just 12.8 fast break points per 100 possessions when he sits, according to NBA stats.
After the Knicks’ starting five of Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Hart and Towns collapsed in the playoffs last year, the group has improved so far in the new season. In 40 minutes, this five-player unit posted a score of +24.2 points per 100 possessions, according to NBA statistics. With Hart’s added play, it might make sense to permanently overhaul the starting lineup once Anunoby returns.
Hart can have extended slumps, rack up careless turnovers, and make questionable decisions. But it has been consistently effective over the past month. If Hart continues to play well, it will be difficult to keep him out of the starting five.
