CHARLESTON, S.C. — Josh Hart is barely 6-feet-4 but is comfortable fighting within the paint with giants, a task he’ll be required to undertake because the Knicks’ backup power forward.
It’s a giant reason why the Knicks never replaced Obi Toppin, believing Hart brings enough experience and rebounding prowess to neutralize the peak disparity.
As Hart explained Tuesday, he essentially played power forward at his previous stop in Portland because former teammate Jerami Grant, a 6-8 power forward, often guarded the perimeter.
“So I’d guard all of the 4s,” Hart said.
Hart also played power forward with Team USA within the World Cup, although that ended disappointingly with no medal. Hart’s biggest asset is his motor, which runs prefer it never missed a full-service oil change.
The hustle helped turn Hart into one in every of the NBA’s best wing rebounders.
But switching positions could hurt his numbers.
On the wing, Hart was capable of leave his man and get a running start for the rebound.
He may not have that luxury as an influence forward.
“All of it is determined by the matchup. Obviously, once I’m on the perimeter, I can go read the ball, attempt to figure that out,” Hart said. “If I’m playing the 4, my most important focus won’t be going to get the ball. It is perhaps ensuring whoever it’s, someone like [the Nuggets’] Aaron Gordon, who’s just offensive rebounder — strong and athletic — attempting to be certain that he’s off the glass [by boxing him out].”
Julius Randle unintentionally blocked Toppin’s path to a Knicks profession and is now blissful his former teammate is getting a probability to “flourish” elsewhere.
“That’s my guy, man. He was in a troublesome spot obviously playing behind me,” Randle said. “But I just tried to assist him mentally stay in it as much as he could and benefit from his opportunities. And he did. He did an amazing job. He was greater than an amazing teammate. I’m excited to see him flourish on the market. He’s going to be great on the market.”
Toppin, who played sparingly as Randle’s backup, was traded to the Pacers for 2 second-round picks.
For 3 seasons — and particularly the last two — the Randle-Toppin dynamic was polarizing to a fan base that believed its homegrown draft pick deserved a greater opportunity.
Patrick Ewing is back within the NBA as a consultant to the Hornets, the Charlotte Observer reported.
Ewing, the last Knick to have his jersey retired, was fired in March as the top coach of Georgetown. He’ll now advise Hornets head coach Steve Clifford, who was an assistant with the Knicks when Ewing was the star center.
Ewing was previously an assistant with the Wizards, Rockets, Bobcats and Magic.
After signing his $80 million contract in the summertime, Hart is able to fund a high society Latest York lifestyle.
“Now, I gotta construct a wine cellar. Get some good wine in there,” Hart said. “Get a rustic club on the market in Westchester, after which I’ll be good to go, man.”
