PG: The Josh Hart Game

[NYKinMIA]

It's been said a bunch already in his tenure, but Hart really is a lot like Starks. What I love though is that it isn't a direct comparison between the two and their personalities, primarily because Josh is self-aware that he's playing a John Starks role. Anyone who remembers those 90's Knicks teams well knows that, while Starks was the heart and soul of the team, he was miscast as a #2 and had no guard rails to keep his fiery temper and emotional outbursts under control - he was sort of in new territory and given just enough rope to hang himself at times.

Josh knows Starks, has him as a mentor in the organization, and has an acute understanding of the boundaries of what being the heart and soul of a team means - something that John just didn't have. That role is so much more clearly defined in this day and age, and Hart has refined his own game since coming to NY in pursuit of excelling at it specifically. Hart wearing #3, talking sh*t, playing to the crowd, and doing everything that personifies hustle - and in big spots - while simultaneously knowing when and how to reel it in, calm it down, don't take the shot, make the extra pass, and not feel the burden on his own shoulders, is a beautiful thing.

Since becoming a Knick, Hart's minutes have gone up, but the rate at which he fouls has gone down. The rate of his scoring is not as high as it was earlier in his career, but his asst/TO ratio is the best it's ever been. He's had all 8 of his career triple doubles since becoming a Knick, and he's highly efficient. And he's done it all while diving, shoving, screaming, getting in the opposition's faces, playing to exhaustion, and then finding more to give when it matters most. As someone who grew up loving Starks, watching Hart fill that same space but with more measured control is really satisfying.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

No Recap for this one, but brief thoughts:
- This is another game where KAT had foul trouble, but Precious stepped up enough for the rest of the starters to keep performing (at least in the second-half). It's a good sign.

- The beauty of Mikal, OG, and Hart is that they can each step up under different circumstances. If a team relies too much on switching, OG will find a mismatch to abuse. When they pinch in too much, Mikal has space to hit jumpers or cut to his spots. When a team wants to play physical, Josh Hart is going to feel right at home and usually one-ups them.

- Shamet fits this roster and system like a glove. It showed in the preseason; it looked the same in his rotation debut (garbage time last game doesn't count).

- Deuce's rebounding has become one of my favorite random things to watch. He's been taking notes from Hart, I swear. Lately, once a night, he has bodied somebody out of position to get an offensive board.

- KAT's offensive fouls are his one drawback this season. They're TOs with the bonus of putting him into foul trouble.

- Brunson is still that dude. It feels like he's had more low-scoring nights this season, but they always come with reduced FGA's and increased assists. It's only a result of him knowing that his teammates will pick up his scoring slack when his shot is off and/or defenses are super keyed in on him.

- The random collapses in FT efficiency worry me a little. I'd hate for that to be the deciding factor of a crucial playoff game.

Unfortunately, I don't think that will ever change, he seems to get caught up in the moment a lot and just does some idiotic things. He's such an intelligent guy that it makes his fouls and decisions so confusing at times, but with Precious back we're better able to withstand the minutes he's not on the floor.

[KnixinSix]

No Recap for this one, but brief thoughts:
- This is another game where KAT had foul trouble, but Precious stepped up enough for the rest of the starters to keep performing (at least in the second-half). It's a good sign.

- The beauty of Mikal, OG, and Hart is that they can each step up under different circumstances. If a team relies too much on switching, OG will find a mismatch to abuse. When they pinch in too much, Mikal has space to hit jumpers or cut to his spots. When a team wants to play physical, Josh Hart is going to feel right at home and usually one-ups them.

- Shamet fits this roster and system like a glove. It showed in the preseason; it looked the same in his rotation debut (garbage time last game doesn't count).

- Deuce's rebounding has become one of my favorite random things to watch. He's been taking notes from Hart, I swear. Lately, once a night, he has bodied somebody out of position to get an offensive board.

- KAT's offensive fouls are his one drawback this season. They're TOs with the bonus of putting him into foul trouble.

- Brunson is still that dude. It feels like he's had more low-scoring nights this season, but they always come with reduced FGA's and increased assists. It's only a result of him knowing that his teammates will pick up his scoring slack when his shot is off and/or defenses are super keyed in on him.

- The random collapses in FT efficiency worry me a little. I'd hate for that to be the deciding factor of a crucial playoff game.

Unfortunately, I don't think that will ever change, he seems to get caught up in the moment a lot and just does some idiotic things. He's such an intelligent guy that it makes his fouls and decisions so confusing at times, but with Precious back we're better able to withstand the minutes he's not on the floor.

And even moreso when Mitch returns. Its going to Alleviate a lot of pressure off him on the defensive end.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Better “Pg” yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lin would have 15+ assists a game if he had the team Brunson has!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love Brunson but he is not nor will ever be the level of floor general that Lin was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No

Love Brunson but Lin was a better distributor and not even close to…Brunson better scorer but worse distributor

Are people still so high on two weeks of linsanity? Jeremy Lin was a career 4.3 APG. Jalen is a career 4.9. Not even close? Lin was a flash in the pan for a couple of weeks until the league caught up to him. Then he was straight bum juice making 15 mil when the top salary back then was around 20mil.

[Jalen Bluntson]

This team is the most fun I have had as a Knicks fan since 1999. I love the entire roster. The winning. The traveling home games. The energy and the passion they bring is awesome. The BBIQ. There really is nothing to complain about outside of some crazy minutes at this point.

21-10
3 seed
The sky is the limit with this group. I fear no team!!

Not with Brunson and towns on defense Im afraid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We couldn’t stop Jalen suggs and goga when Brunson and towns were on the floor together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just imagine what the Celtics, Cavs thunder etc will do to those two!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until Thibs figured out a solution the Brunson&towns defensive tandem will continue to get exposed at embarrassing levels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Magic just beat the Celtics a few days ago. STFU AND GTFO

[NoDopeOnSundays]

No Recap for this one, but brief thoughts:
- This is another game where KAT had foul trouble, but Precious stepped up enough for the rest of the starters to keep performing (at least in the second-half). It's a good sign.

- The beauty of Mikal, OG, and Hart is that they can each step up under different circumstances. If a team relies too much on switching, OG will find a mismatch to abuse. When they pinch in too much, Mikal has space to hit jumpers or cut to his spots. When a team wants to play physical, Josh Hart is going to feel right at home and usually one-ups them.

- Shamet fits this roster and system like a glove. It showed in the preseason; it looked the same in his rotation debut (garbage time last game doesn't count).

- Deuce's rebounding has become one of my favorite random things to watch. He's been taking notes from Hart, I swear. Lately, once a night, he has bodied somebody out of position to get an offensive board.

- KAT's offensive fouls are his one drawback this season. They're TOs with the bonus of putting him into foul trouble.

- Brunson is still that dude. It feels like he's had more low-scoring nights this season, but they always come with reduced FGA's and increased assists. It's only a result of him knowing that his teammates will pick up his scoring slack when his shot is off and/or defenses are super keyed in on him.

- The random collapses in FT efficiency worry me a little. I'd hate for that to be the deciding factor of a crucial playoff game.

Unfortunately, I don't think that will ever change, he seems to get caught up in the moment a lot and just does some idiotic things. He's such an intelligent guy that it makes his fouls and decisions so confusing at times, but with Precious back we're better able to withstand the minutes he's not on the floor.

And even moreso when Mitch returns. Its going to Alleviate a lot of pressure off him on the defensive end.

If he can stay healthy he'll help, but the health part is a big if.

[BKlutch]

Good win. The Magic played really physical and the squad held steady throughout

Our squad's testicles survived a key test

That one play where (I think it was) Goga who purposely kicked him in the groin and Brunson complained about it, but got called for a foul! If his survived that play, we're good to go.

[BKlutch]

Game thread time

Those quality threads require half day of Contexts time to gather Knicks content for the first post. I bet he’s almost done with the process

yes Kamp! It has to be done right
I'm working on it right now...I didnt realize the game was today till late last night

We're all disoriented by the sheer amount of winning!

[KnixinSix]

Unfortunately, I don't think that will ever change, he seems to get caught up in the moment a lot and just does some idiotic things. He's such an intelligent guy that it makes his fouls and decisions so confusing at times, but with Precious back we're better able to withstand the minutes he's not on the floor.

And even moreso when Mitch returns. Its going to Alleviate a lot of pressure off him on the defensive end.

If he can stay healthy he'll help, but the health part is a big if.

No doubt which is why I hope we also trade for another high level rim protecting big if possible.

[Context]

The thread is UP Knick family!!!

[Guano]

No Recap for this one, but brief thoughts:
- This is another game where KAT had foul trouble, but Precious stepped up enough for the rest of the starters to keep performing (at least in the second-half). It's a good sign.

- The beauty of Mikal, OG, and Hart is that they can each step up under different circumstances. If a team relies too much on switching, OG will find a mismatch to abuse. When they pinch in too much, Mikal has space to hit jumpers or cut to his spots. When a team wants to play physical, Josh Hart is going to feel right at home and usually one-ups them.

- Shamet fits this roster and system like a glove. It showed in the preseason; it looked the same in his rotation debut (garbage time last game doesn't count).

- Deuce's rebounding has become one of my favorite random things to watch. He's been taking notes from Hart, I swear. Lately, once a night, he has bodied somebody out of position to get an offensive board.

- KAT's offensive fouls are his one drawback this season. They're TOs with the bonus of putting him into foul trouble.

- Brunson is still that dude. It feels like he's had more low-scoring nights this season, but they always come with reduced FGA's and increased assists. It's only a result of him knowing that his teammates will pick up his scoring slack when his shot is off and/or defenses are super keyed in on him.

- The random collapses in FT efficiency worry me a little. I'd hate for that to be the deciding factor of a crucial playoff game.

Unfortunately, I don't think that will ever change, he seems to get caught up in the moment a lot and just does some idiotic things. He's such an intelligent guy that it makes his fouls and decisions so confusing at times, but with Precious back we're better able to withstand the minutes he's not on the floor.

This sht is going to be a problem in the playoffs.

[K_ick_God]

I don’t think Hart does any lame 3 sign after he hits one.

[gavran]

I don’t think Hart does any lame 3 sign after he hits one.

So.... Trade?

[KnixinSix]

No Recap for this one, but brief thoughts:
- This is another game where KAT had foul trouble, but Precious stepped up enough for the rest of the starters to keep performing (at least in the second-half). It's a good sign.

- The beauty of Mikal, OG, and Hart is that they can each step up under different circumstances. If a team relies too much on switching, OG will find a mismatch to abuse. When they pinch in too much, Mikal has space to hit jumpers or cut to his spots. When a team wants to play physical, Josh Hart is going to feel right at home and usually one-ups them.

- Shamet fits this roster and system like a glove. It showed in the preseason; it looked the same in his rotation debut (garbage time last game doesn't count).

- Deuce's rebounding has become one of my favorite random things to watch. He's been taking notes from Hart, I swear. Lately, once a night, he has bodied somebody out of position to get an offensive board.

- KAT's offensive fouls are his one drawback this season. They're TOs with the bonus of putting him into foul trouble.

- Brunson is still that dude. It feels like he's had more low-scoring nights this season, but they always come with reduced FGA's and increased assists. It's only a result of him knowing that his teammates will pick up his scoring slack when his shot is off and/or defenses are super keyed in on him.

- The random collapses in FT efficiency worry me a little. I'd hate for that to be the deciding factor of a crucial playoff game.

Unfortunately, I don't think that will ever change, he seems to get caught up in the moment a lot and just does some idiotic things. He's such an intelligent guy that it makes his fouls and decisions so confusing at times, but with Precious back we're better able to withstand the minutes he's not on the floor.

This sht is going to be a problem in the playoffs.

We can compensate when we have better complementary bigs in the rotation.

[Knick4Real]

We play Washington today, I have us losing this one on the end of back to back. We play them again in two days, will win that one.

Nah, we're taking both!!

[blueNorange]

i knew wemby loved nyc when he was at the draft a couple years back and really got the nyc experience

future knick in a few years, nba would commit a crime if they let him rot away in san antonio

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=6rskMP22ib9Gcn7bulfaTg

[Knick4Real]

i knew wemby loved nyc when he was at the draft a couple years back and really got the nyc experience

future knick in a few years, nba would commit a crime if they let him rot away in san antonio

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=6rskMP22ib9Gcn7bulfaTg

Why is he hanging around NYC and playing in the park when he has no upcoming game here??
Does he really have a secret affinity for our city?? Hmmm....

[blueNorange]

i knew wemby loved nyc when he was at the draft a couple years back and really got the nyc experience

future knick in a few years, nba would commit a crime if they let him rot away in san antonio

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=6rskMP22ib9Gcn7bulfaTg

Why is he hanging around NYC and playing in the park when he has no upcoming game here??
Does he really have a secret affinity for our city?? Hmmm....

1. they played the nets last night

2. if you follow his ig story during the draft, he loves nyc

[blueNorange]

it’s not crazy that a player from a beautiful rich part of france would also love nyc and view san antonio as a notch below his lavish lifestyle

[Knick4Real]

i knew wemby loved nyc when he was at the draft a couple years back and really got the nyc experience

future knick in a few years, nba would commit a crime if they let him rot away in san antonio

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=6rskMP22ib9Gcn7bulfaTg

Why is he hanging around NYC and playing in the park when he has no upcoming game here??
Does he really have a secret affinity for our city?? Hmmm....

1. they played the nets last night

2. if you follow his ig story during the draft, he loves nyc

Oh, I forgot the nets are still a team and located in this city.

I don't follow him on IG, but NYC and Paris are alike in many ways, so I can understand it.