Josh Hart‘s return made the Knicks feel like a more complete team, writes James L. Edwards of The Athletic. Hart was back in the starting lineup in Sunday’s win at Portland, logging 31 minutes and finishing with 18 points, three rebounds and six assists. He told reporters that he considered trying to come back earlier from a right ankle sprain he suffered on Christmas Day, but the lingering pain prevented it.
“My plan, originally, I wanted to come back (for) the Clippers game (on Wednesday),” Hart said. “I learned a day or two before that was not going to happen because of how it was feeling. If we were on a good little run, I probably would have taken a couple more days, couple more games, but I felt like I could come in and help with where I am right now. If I’m banged up a little bit, I go out and play, get the movement, and it helps me heal faster.”
New York had lost five of its previous six games without Hart and slow starts were a recurring problem, with Edwards noting that coach Mike Brown frequently had to call the first timeout of the game. The energy level was noticeably better from the opening tip on Sunday, Edwards adds, as the Knicks improved to 12-3 with Hart as a starter.
“A lot of our guys are irreplaceable, but especially a guy like Josh who does so many little things for you,” Brown said. “Sometimes they don’t even show up in the stat sheet. To have him back is good. To have him back helps with our pace because he gets out and runs, throws it ahead or pushes the ball at an extremely fast pace. We get easy baskets when we play like that.”
There’s more on the Knicks:
- Karl-Anthony Towns sat out the final 9:24 of the fourth quarter, with Brown explaining that he made the decision to stick with a combination that was working, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. New York outscored Portland 31-20 during that stretch, using either Mitchell Robinson at center or a small-ball lineup. Towns has talked about the challenges of adapting to his new head coach, but Brown said it’s a mutual project. “I’ve said this before: It’s not all on KAT to adjust to and adapt to what we have to do,” Brown said. “He’s had the hardest adjustment period because he’s had to learn the most. In the same breath, I have to make sure that I help him by simplifying what we do and making sure I’m putting him in the right spots and then he’s got to do the things necessary to help out, as well.”
- Hart’s return forced Tyler Kolek out of the rotation, Bondy adds. The second-year guard picked up his first DNP-CD since November 19.
- ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill examines the Knicks’ chances of reaching the NBA Finals, offering three reasons why it could happen and three things that might prevent it.
“I gotta help him by simplifying what we do” lol
KAT is just a funny guy to watch competing in a physical and tactical game, because he has all that size yet somehow no strength, and he’s just not the sharpest pencil.
He needs to tone his body figure down in order to stay healthy and compete on the defensive end. Offensively, he needs to find his comfort zone inside of the arc – it’s all about figuring out how to become a good passer, in opposed to a bad shot taker / turnover machine.
He’s not a big contact guy. I agree that he doesn’t use his size smart. He doesn’t have that killer instinct like Ewing, Shaq, Duncan. And today bigs don’t use positioning like they should. Its almost like the NBA has put it out. No more low post play. Cause you don’t see bigs post anymore.
Towns is a talented Center. Yet he doesn’t have the fire on D. That he has on offense. And when things get tough. He tends to shy away. As a Knick fan. If he is our guy. Then we have to help him on D. He needs a D PF next to him. To watch his back. A 6’ 10” Hart would be nice.
A Young’n who’s Gun’n …….. the Future.
link to postingandtoasting.com
Can never say enough about Hart. If only Towns had his commitment. Says Knicks are 12–3 with Hart starting. For all the Mitch should start folks. Hart does the dirty work. He makes good decisions. He’s huge. Imagine if he was 6’10” and watched Towns back ……….
That’s what Knicks are missing.
Don’t know why Towns is still learning an offense. That they don’t always run. Just basketball. Towns stats are down . And I do wonder why ?? I hope he hasn’t gotten complacent. And thinks he’s made it in NY.
With the TD line coming. Knicks better get their act together. Cause this team ain’t getting out the East. The bench has to be addressed. Yabusele and Landry gone or what. Are the young guys ready ?? I don’t think so. One thing that bothers me most. Is why McBride isn’t backing up Brunson. They haven’t even tried it.
Mitch and Diadet to New Orleans ….
Bey and Looney to New York ….
I think Bey and Looney would be good for New York.
How does New Orleans benefit from that trade?
Would you play Mitch and Queen together?
Mitch can start for them. He is all defense. Micci can take his time getting better. I like Queen a lot. Imo he can be the next big time 4. He is all offense. So I do think they mix well. Only I keep Mitch at under 30 mins. With Micci they can do that. Mitch has always talked about going home. He would be motivated to play in NO. I give them Kolek if they rather him.
If Rose gives Mitch away for Bey and Looney he needs to be fired on the spot. What a horrible suggestion.
Why is that explain yourself. You do know the Knicks have asked about Bey. …….. Playing 29 mins this yr.
15.1 pts, 6 reb, 2,3 ast. Looney is a proven vet. Who’s won a chip and been in playoffs. He is what Towns needs next to him. What Dra does for Warriors he do for Knicks.
link to si.com
link to sportingnews.com
link to bleacherreport.com
I have to thank Brown for not reinserting KAT down the stretch. He’s a huge liability when he’s not hitting his shots. I don’t doubt that adjusting to Brown’s offense has been a problem for him (KAT is not a natural in a motion offense), but it’s certainly not his main problem. It’s his defense (or lack of it) that’s killing the team, on the scoreboard and in terms of morale. I was thinking last year was his low point. Now I’m thinking it was his high point.
Nothing can be done about KAT until the off season. Who knows, maybe he’ll (magically) get better on the defensive end when his shots start falling, or maybe he’ll wait for the playoffs to start focusing and surprise to the upside. Otherwise, the FO has to revisit the notion of KAT being a part of the team. We can’t win with him playing defense at this level.
KAT has shown defensive focus before. He was at least respectable during the 2024 Western Semi against Jokìc. I don’t know why he can’t seem to put that effort forth consistently.
There is selective effort, physical effort anyway, particularly after a horrible game. But its usually low IQ effort, born of frustration, and ripe with stupid fouls.
Yes, he was great in that series, but, in MIN, he wasn’t responsible to protect the rim for most possessions. Gobert handled that. Against DEN, in particular, KAT could play in front of Jokic, and leave the dirty work to Gobert.
His problem is rim protection. Unfortunately, the way the game is going (officiated) in the NBA, that’s become a more essential defensive skill. Historically, when KAT’s teams have been successful, he’s essentially played as a 4, or with another big who was a good rim protector. Not ideal for his offensive output, but it is for W/L’s.
Mitch deal is up this year. His camp are looking to get paid. Knicks can’t keep Mitch past the TD. We have to capitalize on a trade now. Towns is here for his contract. Thats three yrs with this one. Best to go for a D 4 to watch his back. He was decent last yr. Only still gets lost on D when things get tough. I thought MSG crowd would help him. He still a baby at times. Its why I liked Thibs. Cause he calls them out on that. We invested in him. So we have to help him see the light bro. It’s what you do.
All investments, particularly the larger ones, need to be reassessed at the appropriate intervals. I think the end of the season is one of them. KAT, unless I missed an extension, has only next year (and then a player option year) on his contract. This coming offseason is the one that a player with that contract would be traded if he’s going to be traded.
Nothing is off the table at the deadline, but I don’t see Mitch being moved. The threshold for a deal isn’t met. Mitch is not more valuable to another team than he is to us. Yes, he’s expiring, and his injury management is a PITA, as is his injury history and likely salary demands. But all that’s true for any team that trades for him. New Orleans was his home, and I’m sure they’d love to off load Looney, but I’d be shocked if they had interest in Mitch at the deadline. If a homecoming is sought by both, they could just sign him in the offseason. I’d like Bey for the NYK, but he’d fit as a piece anywhere.
Yes, Thibs was a real basketball coach, who worked the A’s relentlessly, including (God forbid) the accountability aspect. Brown wants to be liked by the players, and thought of as cool by 2k nation. Nevertheless, Brown is now the NBA template.
Not the sane. Knicks don’t have the cap room. He isn’t worth dealing with now. Better to move on. We have to be on Towns. The window is now. Unless it’s fir Giannis. It’s Towns till he’s a FA I wouldn’t resign him.
I agree Brown wants to be liked. Rose should be backing him up. Cause some players will always need a lick in aaa. Imo we have to ride Towns now. Makes no sense keeping Mitch. I believe in Hukporti.
That is kick …. oops
Was always inevitable in my eyes but NYK media and fans gotta be careful in the amount of stones they throw towards KAT in the next 6 months
He will probably be floated this summer and you want the least amount of stench on him as you can
Remember the old UPS commercials “What can Brown do for you ”
Chuck Brown under the Bus before Kat even if its not your first intuition
For most of my life as a NYK fan, I could have guaranteed that at least the NYK fanbase would have thrown both the NYK FO and Brown under the bus, first and second, well ahead of KAT. But, most of that life was lived in the bygone pre-2k era, when the NYK fanbase was an almost uniquely savvy fanbase. Today, it’s just like every other NBA fanbase, a group populated by mostly 2k’ers. So, I couldn’t say.
Irony being of course 2k wanted to assemble said team, almost like a child who wants to knock the blocks over just to have the journey of rebuilding it all
Give um credit, they drive with no rear view mirrors and in the fast lane with an admirable level of bravery and stoicism
Knicks window is now. Real basketball fans know what’s up. There is no retooling here. Towns can’t be traded. We have to ride him. This team has been to East Finals. And if you know ball. They had their chance. You give Pacers credit. If we had a bench it would have been different. Knicks gave away gm1. And Pacers never looked back.
Rose was suppose to fix the bench. Hasn’t done it. Landry hurt again has made it more serious. Brown and Rose are acting like we can just show up. And we will be in East Finals. Thibs coached them there. He didn’t have Mitch. He is responsible for Hart starting and getting hi money. Brown just figured out Harts value to team. I his TD is freakin huge. And they better wake up. Nobody is going to make it easier for Knicks. Teams just waiting to knock them out. The time is now.
The jury is out in my mind, replacing the Knicks coach. KAT is not scoring as much and is now under daily criticism. And Hart’s value wasn’t understood. The talent is there so the pressure continues to build to win it all.
Teams in NY sometimes get too comfortable in their success. Cause the fan base gets crazy behind them. But a good season doesn’t mean squat. Its about playing to win in playoffs and a chip. You celebrate then not before. You need special character players in NY man. Folks are not getting it. We are suppose to be better than last year. Well We Are Not …..
People only care about a Buffalo football team in New York
NY is the biggest sports town in the world. And it includes Buffalo …. Three states follow NY teams .
The team upgraded their coach… but still have a KAT problem…
He’s always been a mixed effort player… Can sometimes be a bright spot on both ends… but usualy is a low effort frustrated player on defence…
The Wolves went and got Gobert for this reason… The Knicks need a defensive player of the year level big next to him to move up from playoff team to contender…