New York Knicks forward Josh Hart has accomplished a rare feat in today's NBA: impressing a former player.
In an interview on Knicks Fan TV, former Knicks forward Larry Johnson, author of the famed four-point play, was asked which current Knick he'd like to play with.
Johnson, who was in attendance for many Knicks games, including the team's playoff run, last season, said he was blown away by Josh Hart's rebounding and hustle.
"Man, what Josh Hart did was unreal," Johnson said. "Now, of course you've got your Jalens [Brunson] and Julius [Randle] and all that, but I'm on the front row watching — now Josh is not a big dude. Josh not a big dude. But the effort he was giving, it remind you of ... a 6'5", 6'6" Dennis Rodman. Just going after everything. Just the intensity.
"And when you have a guy like that who's going to sacrifice for the team and say, 'You don't gotta run a play for me, Coach. You don't have to run a play. I get mine off tip-ins, off offensive rebounds, running the floor. I get mine that way.' So, yeah, what Josh Hart did, I wouldn't have minded playing with him."
Indeed, Hart was often called — no pun intended — the "heart" of last year's Knicks team.
Though Hart isn't a natural scorer or shooter, he 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 during last year's playoff run and played all 48 minutes four different times over 13 games. He made numerous huge plays, be it timely threes, clutch offensive rebounds, and more.
Some people get 50/50 balls, he gets the 30/70 balls
— Teg🚨 (@IQfor3) August 28, 2024
2 minutes of Josh Hart being a psychopath
pic.twitter.com/nvfnEm8tu8
Hart injured his abdomen in the second round series against the Indiana Pacers, but continued to play through it. When he fouled out of the Knicks' Game 7 blowout loss to the Pacers, the Madison Square Garden crowd gave him a standing ovation — a touching tribute to a player who gave it his all every time he played.
Josh Hart gets a standing ovation after playing BIG minutes all postseason 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/ikS1EkPY1O
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2024
Now Hart is set to have a reduced bench role this season with the returns of Randle and OG Anunoby, plus the addition of Mikal Bridges.
While he might not be asked to play 40 minutes so often, Hart will likely be on the floor at the end of the games thanks to the impact he always seems to make.
Watch Johnson's comments below:
