New York Knicks forward Josh Hart accomplished a rare feat in today’s NBA: impressing a former player.
In a interview on Knicks Fan TVformer Knicks forward Larry Johnson, author of the famous four-point gameHe was asked which current Knick he would like to play for.
Johnson, who has been to many Knicks games, including the team’s playoff run last season, said he was blown away by Josh Hart’s rebounding and energy.
“Man, what Josh Hart did was unreal,” Johnson said. “Now, of course, you have your Jalens [Brunson] and Jules [Randle] and all that, but I’m in the front row watching — Josh’s not a big guy. Josh’s not a big guy. But the effort he put in, it reminds you of… a 6’5, 6’6 Dennis Rodman. He’s giving it his all. Just the intensity.
“And when you have a guy like that who’s going to sacrifice for the team and say, ‘You don’t have to make plays for me, coach. You don’t have to make plays. I get mine off of deflections, offensive rebounds, running games. I get mine that way.’ So, yeah, what Josh Hart did, I wouldn’t have minded playing with him.”
Indeed, Hart was often referred to – no pun intended – as the “heart” of last year’s Knicks team.
While Hart isn’t a natural scorer or shooter, he’s made an impact on the game with his rebounding, defense, hustle, and determination to push the ball in transition. Hart averaged 42.2 minutes per game in last year’s playoffs and played all 48 minutes four different times in 13 games. He’s made plenty of big plays, from timely three-pointers to game-winning offensive rebounds and more.
Some have 50/50 balls, he has 30/70 balls
2 minutes of Josh Hart as a psychopath
— Teg? (@IQfor3) August 28, 2024
Hart suffered an abdominal injury in the second round of the series against the Indiana Pacers, but he continued to play through it. When he was fouled out of the Knicks’ Game 7 loss to the Pacers, the Madison Square Garden crowd gave him a standing ovation, a touching tribute to a player who gave his all every time he played.
Josh Hart gets a standing ovation after playing BIG minutes all season ?? pic.twitter.com/ikS1EkPY1O
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2024
Hart is now expected to have a reduced bench role this season with the returns of Randle and OG Anunoby, along with the addition of Mikal Bridges.
While he’s not often called upon to play 40 minutes, Hart will likely be on the field late in games thanks to the impact he always seems to have.
Watch Johnson’s comments below:
