Knicks sign Isaiah Hartenstein to 2 year/$16 M contract

[HarthorneWingo]

In 18-19, I went to games of all the 2018 draft prospects I liked. Even back then when we were tanking, arena was full. I was there to see the other kids & mock THJ.

There was one game where we were getting destroyed by I think a very young PHX team. We clearly had no shot at winning. But somehow did the fake hustle to get it to 8 with little time remaining. Ppl standing & cheering.

This is the golden goose of basketball

Whatever Dolan has to spend, the self esteem boost he'll experience if we go all the way would be worth every penny.

He's sober now and he can't do crack anymore. We're all he's got to experience that rush.

jesus, clyde!

Clyde's filter needs a little fine tuning. Age catches up quickly. I know these things.

[TrueWarrior]

Another thing that we’ve brought up many times in the past on other players (cough LeBron 2010) is that Isaiah would make more money on the side being here in NYC than anywhere else, with only the Lakers as competition in that regard.

Not saying hes going to be in commercials and get sponsorships left and right, but being the charismatic starting center on a winning Knicks team would definitely pull him in some extra dough even if it’s only locally. This city/state has been dying for a good sustainable Knicks team for 20+ years.

We also see how the organization takes care of past players, giving them jobs/spotlight. See Clyde, LJ, Starks, Spree, Tim Thomas, John Wallace, Bernard King, Nate, Houston, Pearl, Camby etc. Melo and Amare been popping up more too. Isaiah would be set for life if he helps win a chip here.

Im not worried about this anymore. 90% chance he stays and CAA has it mostly worked out already. If he leaves here then best of luck. Time for Mitch to get right then.

[Clyde_Style]

Whatever Dolan has to spend, the self esteem boost he'll experience if we go all the way would be worth every penny.

He's sober now and he can't do crack anymore. We're all he's got to experience that rush.

jesus, clyde!

Clyde's filter needs a little fine tuning. Age catches up quickly. I know these things.

Hi kettle

[Adelheid]

if his wifey model says he should stay in ny then he is probably gonna stay

[HarthorneWingo]

jesus, clyde!

Clyde's filter needs a little fine tuning. Age catches up quickly. I know these things.

Hi kettle

Fck off!!!!! I’ve matured over the years here like fine wine.

[Clyde_Style]

Clyde's filter needs a little fine tuning. Age catches up quickly. I know these things.

Hi kettle

Fck off!!!!! I’ve matured over the years here like fine wine.

Saying Fck off and posting a GIF of a middle finger in response to a mild comeback is mature?

Whatever you say

[HarthorneWingo]

Hi kettle

Fck off!!!!! I’ve matured over the years here like fine wine.

Saying Fck off and posting a GIF of a middle finger in response to a mild comeback is mature?

Whatever you say

Obviously the irony escaped you.

[Clyde_Style]

Fck off!!!!! I’ve matured over the years here like fine wine.

Saying Fck off and posting a GIF of a middle finger in response to a mild comeback is mature?

Whatever you say

Obviously the irony escaped you.

If I did the exact same to you I guarantee you would be steaming about it for days. It was not ironic, it was just crass

[Zenzibar]

Strong statement on how good iHart's game is:

Knicks' Isaiah Hartenstein is the best backup big man in the NBA
David Vertsberger

The Knicks are trying to build some momentum into the holiday season to separate themselves from the Eastern Conference pack. If they succeed in making the playoffs for the second season in a row it would be the first time in a decade, cementing the Leon Rose era as possibly the most successful of the franchise’s last few decades.

There are plenty of praiseworthy moves to cite for the roster and culture that’s been built in his three years here, from committing to Julius Randle to acquiring Jalen Brunson in free agency. But maybe there’s not enough love for some of the smaller deals that glued this team together, such as signing Isaiah Hartenstein in 2022.

After a failed season running it back with Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson at the backup five, New York inked Hartenstein to a two-year, $16 million contract. He’s more than earned his money in that time, arguably playing some of the best bench big man basketball in the league.

Hartenstein’s Knicks career began shakily, as he looked awkward in the offensive scheme and tentative on both ends around the rim. However, it quickly clicked how he would excel in a Tom Thibodeau system: by doing the dirty work.

He completely bought into the rim-protecting, rebound-chasing five role Thibs needs out of his centers, and it made him a force. Hartenstein finished sixth in offensive rebounding rate last season, averaging nine points and 11.9 rebounds per-36 minutes on 53.5 percent shooting.

New York didn’t miss a beat whenever Hartenstein took over for Mitchell Robinson, even defensively. The Knicks held opponents to 112.6 points per 100 possessions with Robinson, and 110.2 with Hartenstein.

These trends have continued into this season. Hartenstein is attacking the offensive glass with ferocity, securing 15.4 percent of offensive boards, good for third in the league.

The Knicks have actually been much better defensively with Hartenstein on the court, allowing 104.5 points per 100 possessions compared to Robinson’s 110.4. This is more likely a result of who the two share time with, but still emphasizes the lack of drop off between the centers.

Hartenstein has stepped up in the games where Robinson has struggled or gotten into foul trouble. The home opener against Boston saw Hartenstein play 25 minutes and go 3-for-4 with eight rebounds in a wasted effort.

The highlight of the season was his crucial role in last week’s 21-point comeback win over the Miami Heat. His flying chasedown block in transition swung the momentum, and he did a great job on Bam Adebayo for the remainder of the evening, in no small part leading to the Knicks’ signature win of the year.

He’s gotten more comfortable within the flow of the offense, utilizing his passing more for outlets in transition and in the halfcourt. His chemistry with Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, two of the team’s most prolific off-ball movers, is building.

While Hartenstein may not have the individual talent displayed by some of the other backup bigs in the game like Bobby Portis or Onyeka Okongwu, his acceptance of his role and play within it makes him arguably as impactful, if not more. That the Knicks can rely on either two of their centers to reliably anchor their defense and outwork the competition is a major advantage -- one dating back to the construction of the surprise 2021 playoff team.

New York will want to retain that advantage and will have to re-sign Hartenstein this summer to do so. His contract expires this season, setting him up for unrestricted free agency, and perhaps enough of a bidding war for the Knicks to bow out.

There are teams that could conceivably offer Hartenstein the starting position with starter pay, two things the Knicks cannot match. If there aren’t, New York could be in better position to keep their man.

Whatever the outcome, fans should enjoy the Hartenstein show while it’s in town. Despite who grabs the headlines, this team wouldn’t be the same without him.

One thing omitted. iHart came into his first Knicks camp recovering from an injury. IIRC it was a back injury, but I'm not sure what it was any longer. Anyway, he was not at full speed his first couple of months here and then he took off when he appeared to be fully healthy again.

Also, I disagree with the writer about the other players he compared to iHart. I think he's better than them even though Portis found a great niche role in MIL.

The iHart playing now is a different animal than the one we first signed. He's grown a lot in a short time in the starting role. He's oozing with confidence now.

Many can complain but out development team and strategy has done wonders for; iHart, Quickley, RJ, Deuce, Randle, and MitchRob.

[Zenzibar]

[rajajackal]

Clyde's filter needs a little fine tuning. Age catches up quickly. I know these things.

Hi kettle

Fck off!!!!! I’ve matured over the years here like fine wine.

[dakomish23]

Congratulations to the happy couple

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