Josh Hart played an important role in the Knicks‘ playoff run, but now he’s trying to figure out how he fits into the team’s revamped lineup, writes Steve Popper of The New York Post. Offseason trades for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns have raised the talent level, but it may take some time for all the pieces to come together.
“There’s a couple days we have until Boston (in the season opener),” Hart said after Friday’s preseason loss to Washington. “So whether that’s trying to get a rhythm with that starting unit or we give somebody else a look and my role changes and comes off the bench and go with that unit. So just trying to figure out right now; I pretty much have no idea. But we’ll see what happens in Boston.’’
It’s been a particularly rough adjustment for Hart, whose first quarter layup on Friday night represented his only points in four preseason games. He took just seven shots in that span, which is a sign that he might be deferring more than ever with two new stars on the team.
“[Jalen Brunson] and KAT’s our engine,” Hart said. “I feel like we played pretty well this preseason. So I’m cool with that. I just think we can just figure out a way where we can be our best selves or whatever — roles or minutes.”
There’s more on the Knicks:
- It has also been a rough preseason for Bridges, who has been misfiring since making an offseason change to his shot mechanics, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Bridges is trying to eliminate a hitch in his shot and rediscover the comfort he had at Villanova, but the early results haven’t been good. He missed all 10 of his three-point attempts on Friday and shot just 11% from beyond the arc in four games. “When I came out of college, I kind of tweaked it a little bit,” Bridges said. “And then my second year in the league, I had the hitch and tried to build back from that ever since. So just trying to get it right.”
- In an appearance on the Roommates Show podcast with Hart and Brunson (video link), Towns said he learned about the trade to New York four minutes before Shams Charania broke the news on Twitter. Towns added that he respects Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly for coming to his house and telling him about the deal in person, but he was caught off guard because he was expecting to retire in Minnesota.
- Cameron Payne gave a fake name and incorrect date of birth to police when they were called to investigate a disturbance involving his girlfriend in June in Scottdale, Arizona, per Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. The police bodycam footage can be viewed here.
Alot of talk about Tatum’s jumper. What is going on with Bridges in the knicks uniform? Pre season and all, sure. Long season obviously but his 3 ball has been absolutely broken and downright UGLY. get that hesitation hitch gone brother.
Apparently it did not just start this preseason and helps explain his mediocre offense last year. Is it possible that Ben Simmons gave him a case of Canthithesideofabarnitis?
Hahahahaha not everything is Ben’s fault lol.
I like Bridges alot, think he’s just a bit low on confidence….long season, plenty of time to rectify the issue. The worrying part is….there’s slumps, happens. Then there’s a complete different stroke. Hopefully for NY just temporary yipes.
I love to hate on athletes for thinking they are above the law. But this is a prime example of cops on ego trips looking for any reason to lock a man up. He called 911 because his girlfriend was tripping, (mistakenly) allowed a cop access into his home to verify that the woman was okay, and somehow they flipped it into a failure to ID charge? This isn’t nazi Germany the police do not have the right to your papers just because they say so. I smell a lawsuit with the taxpayers footing the bill.
If you call 911 regarding a disturbance and let them in your home, they are entitled to your information. What if they accepted the false info as gospel or didn’t ask and later that woman ends up dead? Failure to provide information and/or lying to the police is a crime. He’ll pay a fine and hopefully learned a lesson.
Partially correct. Providing false name is a crime. Failure to ID varies from state to state but in most it is a secondary charge meaning that you only have to provide ID if you are arrested for something. Also as he stated in the video he had already provided his name when he called 911, this was cops just wanting to handcuff someone. And no, the police are not “entitled” to your information in case some future crime happens.
Knicks will be fine when real season starts. New 5 means it will take time to fully adjust. Not really down with Hart starting. Rather Precious start.
Bridges imo can be Knicks best player. He’s a prime 2way player. Can easily get 20.
I wouldn’t worry about Bridges shooting. He’s a career .375% 3pt shooter. The real games will bring out best in Knicks. Give them half the year to build the chemistry. To me Sims and Hukporti are key pieces. If they play their roles and grow. Knicks will be fine and contend. Even without Mitch.
Terry Johnson
It was probably a bigger shock to KAT that he was being sent to play for Thibs…
That’s going to have some ripe popcorn moments this season…
“I feel like if you play hard, you’re a Thibs guy,” Brunson said h/t Posting and Toasting. “If you play hard, that’s all he wants. He wants effort and just to communicate. And so when you’re out there and just giving your all, he can respect that. And that deems you a Thibs guy or whatever.”
link to mmsport.minutemediabeta.com
This totally is a Thibs team. In Thibs we Trust.
I was hoping TJ Warren made the roster. I’m not sure who the final piece is.
Now with Precious out. I think they will sign him.