Josh Hart was thrilled to see a recent GQ photo of four former Villanova stars wearing Knicks jerseys.
Donte DiVincenzo, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson and Hart were scheduled to reunite this season after acquiring Bridges in the offseason.
That dream ended just days before the start of training camp when the Knicks acquired Karl-Anthony Towns to a blockbuster deal and sent DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to the Timberwolves.
“But I think that was the first time it hit me so hard. [Donte’s] It's gone,'' Hart said after Friday's practice. “That was something we were really looking forward to, but unfortunately we weren't able to make it happen. I think you have to blame Isaiah Hartenstein. I think it's all his fault, so thank you. , “Zai”. appreciate. ”
Hart joked about Hartenstein, who left the Knicks in free agency after two strong seasons and signed a three-year, $87 million contract with the Thunder.
His departure created the need for a substitute, especially since Mitchell Robinson was expected to miss the first half of the regular season due to ankle surgery.
DiVincenzo had a career year with the Knicks, averaging a career-best 15.5 points and shooting 40.1 percent from 3-point range.
He made 283 3-pointers, setting a Knicks regular season record.
On Sunday, DiVincenzo and Randle will return to the Garden with the Timberwolves for a preseason game.
“Obviously it's difficult, it's part of the business, but I just feel like I miss my dog,” Hart said. “So I think he should be greeted with cheers, [an] I applaud everything he did for the team last year. He put himself and his body at risk to bring it on every night. So he should be given a warm welcome.”
Through two preseason games, Hart took four shots, all of which he missed.
Hart knows it takes some getting used to.
“I think it will probably be the same in terms of scoring.” [be something] I have to make sacrifices,” he said.
Hart will be surrounded by scorers in the starting lineup, and his job will be as a hustler and connector.
Some adjustments will be required.
Last year, he averaged 9.4 points on 8.4 shots per game, but those numbers went up in the playoffs due in part to injuries around him.
“I’m a rhythm shooter, but sometimes I lack that rhythm,” he said. “When you take a shot, you have to be focused and confident and shoot the ball with confidence.As I said, it’s hard to get into a rhythm, but my role this year is [not] Be that shooter or that scorer. ”
Furthermore, he added: “I'm not going to lie, it's definitely frustrating at times, but at the end of the day, we can't go far and we can't win without making sacrifices. I think that's the way it is. Just something. You just have to sacrifice. ”
