Josh Hart criticized TJ McConnell, calling the Pacers guard an “annoying midget.” And from the heart, that is very high praise.
Hart is the Knicks’ resident annoyance.
And as he prepared to preview Monday’s Eastern Conference semifinal game against Indiana, he looked across the court and saw a kindred spirit in the Knicks’ famous Killer McConnell.
“TJ McConnell is an annoying little guy who just runs around and wreaks havoc and picks up 94 feet, and he’s a guy who plays the game of basketball at a very high level and is fiercely competitive,” Hart said. Ta. “So we know what Tyreese once knew.” [Haliburton] to go [to the bench], it’s not like you can just sit there and relax. We have a guy in TJ who could be a starting point guard on any other team in this league. ”
Hart is acutely aware that Pacers fans are likely saying the same thing about him, if not more.
“Oh, maybe. Probably,” Hart laughed. “TJ is one of my favorites in the league in terms of who he is as a person.”
The diminutive McConnell scored 20 points off the bench in the Pacers’ blowout win over Milwaukee. He led the way to the second round by shooting 7-of-9 from the floor with nine assists and four steals.
“I think TJ plays with a contagious spirit that’s unparalleled,” Indiana’s Myles Turner said. “There aren’t many teams that have players like him.”
But the Knicks do so with the same vermin heart.
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“Exactly, that’s why I love him. He’s a questionable guy, he doesn’t pass the eye test, but he’s a very gritty guy who goes out there and scores 20 points, nine assists, A guy who can get six rebounds, four steals and pick up 94 feet. There’s definitely a lot of comparisons,” Hart said before the on-brand trolling against McConnell.
“[I’m] He’s a little taller, he’s handsome, he tastes better in wine, and he’s probably a better golfer. And TJ, we don’t do wine deals during the playoffs. Usually when I go to his city he gives me a bottle of wine and when he comes here I also give him a bottle of wine. However, please refrain from trading wine. ”
McConnell has been a thorn in the team’s side this season, shooting 10-of-13 against the Knicks.
He scored 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the floor in Indiana University’s Feb. 10 win and played significant minutes off the bench in the Dec. 30 win.
The rugged 6-foot guard missed his only loss against New York.
“TJ really embodies what it means to be an undersized player and still make a big difference. He doesn’t play to his height,” Turner said. “A lot of kids, especially back home, can watch players like T.J. play and feel hopeful. Not everyone’s going to be 6-11 or 7 feet tall. But you know what I mean? You can work on your game with our intangibles. He’s a perfect example of that.”
