Josh Hart hinted Friday night that he might be able to rediscover his do-it-all role by returning to the second unit, but now that he's started four of the revamped Knicks' five preseason games, He claims that he has “no idea” what that is.
If Hart returns to the bench — there has been no indication from coach Tom Thibodeau that such a move is being considered — the Knicks will replace Hart with a starting lineup featuring Karl and two new players. There are several options that could lead to a complete overhaul of 5. -Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, returning point guard Jalen Brunson and two-way forward OG Anunoby.
Thibodeau could use a larger or smaller lineup by bringing in either guard Deuce McBride or power forward Precious Achiuwa. Both players grew under pressure to be named starters last season.
Achiuwa started 18 games for the Knicks last season, averaging 12.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in 36.6 minutes, starting alongside Towns following the departure of Isaiah Hartenstein and injury to Mitchell Robinson. By participating, he could help provide rim protection for the Knicks.
The 6-foot-8 Achiuwa notably left Friday's game at Washington in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a hamstring issue and did not return.
Jericho Sims would be another option alongside Towns in a larger lineup.
McBride started 14 games for the Knicks in 2023-24, averaging 17.9 points and 4.1 assists while playing 43.5 minutes per game and shooting 40.7 percent from 3-point range.
McBride starting could take some of the defensive burden off Brunson in the backcourt, but such a move would mean Anunoby would play the up-front position in the middle of Towns.
McBride was rested in Friday's loss to Washington, but appeared in three preseason games, scoring 17.3 points per game.
In any case, whether Hart continues to be a starter or comes off the bench, he finished the preseason with only two points on six field goal attempts in four games and 22.5 minutes per game. We have to figure out how to get more involved.
The 82-game regular season opens Tuesday night in Boston, with the Celtics set to hoist the flag for their 18th NBA championship, but Hurts remains essential for the Knicks to rise to compete at that level. is an element.
“I'm lost. I don't know,” Hart admitted when asked about his role after Friday's loss to the Wizards. “We have a few more days until Boston, so whether it’s trying to get into a rhythm with that starting unit or whether it’s having someone else take a look and my role changes and coming off the bench and accompanying that unit. is.
“So, we're just trying to figure it out right now. We don't know much. But let's see what happens in Boston.”
Hart made similar comments early last season, saying he wasn't fully involved in the offense, but he enjoyed a strong second half despite a series of injuries to the team, and his 13 starts in the postseason were a team high. He played 42.2 minutes per game.
After he and Brunson's other former Villanova teammate, Bridges, arrived in July and Towns arrived just before training camp, Hart said the importance of “sacrificing” individual numbers for the team's success We talked about sex.
But Towns and Bridges are also still adjusting to their new teammates, missing 36 of 42 3-pointers in the preseason, including 0 of 15 in Friday's loss. It is.
“It's not about me, and I'm okay with that. I think we all need to find a way to be our best selves, no matter the role or time,” Hart said. Ta. “We’re still trying to get into a rhythm and figure out what works and what doesn’t.
“now [the preseason is] Now that it's over, I have to focus on the next few days when I go to Boston. Shots are going to fall and shots are going to be hit or miss, but we're producing good shots. We have good shooters and there are going to be games where it feels like everything is going down and there are going to be games where it's not going to be the same. ”
