Personality and player Josh Hart was made for Broadway.
He likes to spread out, and the big Apple has more room for his elbows.
“Portland was cool, New Orleans was cool,” said Hart, who played in those two small markets before joining the Knicks. “But it was a little too compact for my taste.”
As the Knicks begin the Eastern Conference semifinals against the archrival Pacers on Monday, Hart has emerged as the team’s hustle champion, glue man, spokesperson, fan favorite and even their first-round 3-point ace.
There is no spotlight that the heart does not receive.
Just ask Hart’s former coach, Stan Van Gundy, who coached the forward for one season with the Pelicans.
“Anyone who coached him and played with him knew he was never afraid of the moment,” said Vann, who will be called up for Game 1 of the Pacers-Knicks game as a TNT analyst. Gandy told the Post. “When we have the biggest time, the biggest game, there are people who don’t want to be a part of it. Josh wasn’t going to be a guy who was afraid of that.
“Actually, I think he lived for it. Josh was always great when he played against the best teams, when he played against the best players. You never had to worry about him. He’s very competitive. It’s the opponent. When Josh is playing against a team that’s not very good, or when he’s playing with guys that are injured, or when he’s up by 18 points with nine or 10 minutes left, he’s mentally challenged. There’s going to be some blunders and stuff like that. But throw that player into the biggest game against the biggest team.”
Hurts’ competitiveness was something Van Gundy emphasized to Thibodeau when the Knicks coach asked for references ahead of the 2023 trade deadline.
Then Leon Rose traded a player who wasn’t a Shibs at all (Cam Reddish) for a classic Shibs player (Hart).
“I think they knew they wanted him anyway. They just made sure that Tom would love him,” Van Gundy said.
Heart’s reply is Sunday?
“Then ask Stan why he never played pick-and-roll for me.”
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Disputes aside, Van Gundy was right.
With injuries to Julius Randle and OG Anunoby midway through the regular season, Hart grabbed a chance at Thibodeau’s throat and managed to stay alive.
He had six triple-doubles in the first three months of January, followed by six NBA seasons with zero triple-doubles.
In the first round against the Sixers, the 29-year-old led the Knicks in minutes played and rebounds.
He finished second in scoring and hit a clutch trey that rocked the Sixers to the ropes in Game 6 of the elimination game. During that time, he podcasted, served as a quote machine for the press, and landed another sponsorship deal, this time with Mike and Ike’s Candy.
He’s gone from being a role player (he played with the Lakers in his first two seasons) to a box score scorer for New York over the past three seasons.
“Josh was never going to be a fearful guy,” Van Gundy said. “But to do what he did? Other people see them as geniuses, but there’s a good chance they’re lying.”
Donte DiVincenzo acknowledged that attention is at least part of Hart’s motivation.
“What I like about him and what I don’t like about him, that’s just who he is,” the Knicks guard laughed. “And the great thing about Josh is that when that big moment comes, he’s going to step up and get it done.
“Because after that. He lives for it and we all enjoy and love watching him celebrate himself.”
All eyes are on the Eastern Conference semifinals. Hart struggled last season in a loss to the Heat, but his role was much smaller.
Now he rarely leaves the courtroom.
Against the Pacers, Hart represents the betting favorite to lead the series in minutes and rebounds.
Defensively, he’s consistently everywhere and everywhere, likely guarding Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton rather than either primary defender.
It’s within your heart’s comfort zone.
“Growing up playing basketball is a moment of dreaming and a moment of preparation,” Hart said. “These are the moments you want. For me, I love those moments and the games because there’s an energy and competitiveness to it.
“That’s the biggest thing for me.”
