Josh Hart, New York Knicks. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
2: Transition Offense
The Knicks lost one of their best transition threats, Obi Toppin, to a trade with Indiana last month. A full season of the Josh Hart experience should help New York continue to run the floor hard, though.
Not only is he excellent at securing rebounds, but his quick decision-making afterward to push the pace in search of easy buckets has paid off time and time again. He shot 74.7% in the restricted area as a Knick last season, the second-highest mark on the team behind springy reserve center Jericho Sims.
Hart can either toss a long outlet pass or run the floor himself, often utilizing his patented left-hand-dribble-to-right-hand-layup maneuver to punish defenses scrambling to get back.
Rebounds aren’t the only method Hart uses to initiate transition opportunities, as his superb lateral movement, relentless energy, and quick hands often result in steals.
He finished first among all New York players in both deflections and defensive loose balls recovered per game, according to NBA.com. Additionally, his 1.6 steals per 36 minutes ranked just behind perimeter protector Miles “Deuce” McBride for the team lead.
Hart’s combination of talent on the glass, physical driving ability, and consistent defensive tenacity is a skill set that isn’t matched by anyone else on the roster. It’ll be much needed if the Knicks go all-in to compete for a championship over the next few years.
opting into his $12.9 million player option</a> for 2023-24.</p>
<p>Hart invigorated the team after he was acquired in a February deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting a blistering 52% from three in the blue and orange. The Knicks finished the regular season with a record of 17-8 in contests he suited up in.</p>
<p>While Hart’s desire to remain in New York was apparent, many fans wondered whether he would opt out and secure a long-term deal with the franchise or opt in and work on an extension over the summer. With reports already swirling about <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-contracts-new-cba-jaylen-brown-20230728-qgmvmie4onc6volimq6tzqbywm-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">potential contract details</a>, it appears he’s chosen the latter.</p>
<p>A four-year extension may seem like a risk for a player with just 36 total appearances for the team, but the Knicks front office won’t be regretting their decision anytime soon.</p>
<h2>3 reasons why the Knicks should be excited about extending Josh Hart</h2>
<h3>3: Rebounding talent</h3>
<p>It’s not an exaggeration to claim that Hart is one of the best rebounders in the NBA relative to his size. Among players who appeared in at least 10 games last season, Hart’s 1.9 offensive rebounds per game ranked first among everyone 6’5″ and shorter.</p>
<p>Starting center Mitchell Robinson and backup Isaiah Hartenstein are two of the best in the league at boxing out, with Hart taking full advantage of the increased opportunities to crash the glass. He’s not afraid to get physical himself, however, <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://www.nba.com/stats/players/rebounding?PlayerPosition=G&dir=D&sort=REB_CONTEST&SeasonType=Regular+Season%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">leading the NBA</a> in contested rebounds by a guard.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://twitter.com/joshhart?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@joshhart tied the Knicks record for guards with 8 offensive boards last night 💪 <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://t.co/xDXIhySW8a">pic.twitter.com/xDXIhySW8a
<p>— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1634320450200256512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>March 10, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>This past season wasn’t an anomaly either, as the former Villanova Wildcat has averaged at least 7.0 rebounds per game every year since 2020. His ball-tracking skills are phenomenal, seemingly ending up in the right place at the right time on every missed shot.</p>
<p>Crashing the offensive glass to create second and third opportunities is one of the Knicks’ principles, and it’s a major reason why they had the third-highest offensive rating in the association last year. Hart’s contributions in the second half of the season deserve some credit for that.</p>
<p>His talent at securing boards also allows more lineup flexibility for head coach Tom Thibodeau, as he won’t have to worry about any major rebounding drop-off when inserting Hart into small-ball lineups at the power forward spot.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> His ability to push the pace </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-146822" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1120,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1466528847.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1120" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1466528847.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1466528847-768x538.jpeg 768w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1466528847-1536x1075.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Josh Hart, New York Knicks. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
<h3>2: Transition Offense</h3>
<p>The Knicks lost one of their best transition threats, Obi Toppin, to a trade with Indiana last month. A full season of the Josh Hart experience should help New York continue to run the floor hard, though.</p>
<p>Not only is he excellent at securing rebounds, but his quick decision-making afterward to push the pace in search of easy buckets has paid off time and time again. He shot 74.7% in the restricted area as a Knick last season, the second-highest mark on the team behind springy reserve center Jericho Sims.</p>
<p>Hart can either toss a long outlet pass or run the floor himself, often utilizing his patented left-hand-dribble-to-right-hand-layup maneuver to punish defenses scrambling to get back.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">HART SECURES THE REBOUND.<br>HART TAKES IT COAST TO COAST.</p>
<p>Get to ABC for the final 5 minutes of Game 4! <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://t.co/zSfmKZdby8">pic.twitter.com/zSfmKZdby8
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1650218730671185921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 23, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Rebounds aren’t the only method Hart uses to initiate transition opportunities, as his superb lateral movement, relentless energy, and quick hands often result in steals.</p>
<p>He finished first among all New York players in both deflections and defensive loose balls recovered per game, <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://www.nba.com/stats/players/hustle?SeasonType=Regular%20Season&TeamID=1610612752&dir=D&sort=DEFLECTIONS%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to NBA.com</a>. Additionally, his 1.6 steals per 36 minutes ranked just behind perimeter protector Miles “Deuce” McBride for the team lead.</p>
<p>Hart’s combination of talent on the glass, physical driving ability, and consistent defensive tenacity is a skill set that isn’t matched by anyone else on the roster. It’ll be much needed if the Knicks go all-in to compete for a championship over the next few years.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Showing up under the brightest lights </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-145060" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1876,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2023%2F06%2F1487212752-scaled.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Josh Hart" width="2560" height="1876" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/06/1487212752-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/06/1487212752-768x563.jpeg 768w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/06/1487212752-1536x1126.jpeg 1536w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/06/1487212752-2048x1501.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Josh Hart, New York Knicks. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>1: Stepping up in the playoffs</h3>
<p>When the 28-year-old first arrived in New York, he had yet to make a postseason appearance in his career. With the Knicks quickly heading towards a trajectory that would have them playing more than 82 games, there were questions about how Hart would look in an intense atmosphere.</p>
<p>He answered those quickly, becoming one of the main reasons why the Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games to win their first playoff series in a decade.</p>
<p>Hart averaged 11.8 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 56% from the field, routinely dominating Cleveland’s tall frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen on the glass. He also hit one of the biggest shots of the season, a pull-up three with just under two minutes left to help the Knicks steal game one on the road.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">HART FOR THREE… Knicks regain the lead!</p>
<p>Just over a minute to play on ESPN 🍿 <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://t.co/EnlbATkehL">pic.twitter.com/EnlbATkehL
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1647397725296812033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>His offensive output dipped in the second round against the Miami Heat, averaging just 9.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. This can partially be credited to the lineups he was playing in, as Thibodeau leaned heavily on the Barrett-Hart duo, which never truly worked, given the pair’s below-average shooting.</p>
<p>It’s also worth noting that he was the primary defender of Miami superstar Jimmy Butler for most of the Heat series and did a respectable job, which may have sapped some of his energy on offense. Butler shot just 9-for-24 (37.5%) from the field and 0-for-3 from behind the arc when guarded by Hart, according to <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/08/09/3-reasons-knicks-wont-regret-extending-josh-hart/2/"https://www.nba.com/stats/player/202710/head-to-head?Matchup=Offense%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA Advanced Stats Player Tracking</a>.</p>
<p>Although his shooting prowess as a Knick finally came back down to earth against Miami, it’s still not enough of a concern moving forward to pass on offering him a new deal.</p>
<p>Josh Hart’s persistent motor, staunch defense, and animated celebrations have endeared him to Knicks fans since day one. He’s done more than enough to warrant a contract extension, which the team’s front office shouldn’t regret one bit.</p>
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