With the additions of new teammates Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart's impressive start to the season has largely gone unnoticed. While much of the preseason discussion focused on the impact KAT would have on Jalen Brunson’s offense, few considered how KAT's presence might elevate Hart's game. The increased spacing has allowed Hart to excel inside the arc, so much so that now he is currently leading the NBA in 2-point FG%( 75.6%). Playing alongside elite offensive talents and shooters like Brunson, OG, Mikal and KAT has enabled Hart to become a secondary creator, boosting his assists from 4.1 to 5.9 per game compared to last season, with only a slight increase in turnovers from 1.5 to 1.9.

Hart's rebounding and playmaking this season are typically associated with elite players. In fact, only nine players in the last three decades have averaged 9 rebounds and 6 assists per game for a full season (Russell Westbrook, Domantas Sabonis, Julius Randle, Nikola Jokic, Draymond Green, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Grant Hill, and Kevin Garnett)

While Hart's hot start may cool as the season progresses, there's no denying his integral role in the Knicks' success. His performance thus far warrants more recognition and even consideration for fringe All-Star status.

29 comments

  3. The others were all either good/great scorers or perennial DPOY candidates. I don’t think Hart fits the mold of either, but it is impressive what he has been doing.

  5. He’s also playing 70,000 minutes per game. He’s my favorite Knicks player in a team with a lot of likable guys.

  6. Dude is fucking awesome. Someone said he’s not a high volume scorer or perennial dpoy candidate which removes him for the list of players he’s associated with here.

    I think that speaks to how different of a player he is than anyone else in the nba. He’s not gifted in rly any aspect of the sport and yet he’s developed such a drive and knowledge of the game that he always seems to do the right things w rebounding, passing, cutting, and transition. Still my favorite Knicks player

  8. All these former Pels turn out amazing  

    It won’t be long before Ingram’s notoriety goes from “that boy nice” to all star contributor on a real contender when he gets shipped 

    We’ve seen it with Jrue and Dyson Daniels too

  11. > he is currently leading the NBA in 2-point FG%( 75.6%)

    Insane for a guy 6’4″

    Although technically Hart is averaging “only” 5.9 assists per game and would not qualify for the list that this post is all about

  12. Chatgpt/ai needs to be banned on this sub. If you’re too lazy to type out your own post, just don’t post. Cool stat though

  15. Wild to me that Randle has multiple All-NBA selections. Everyone shits on him so much, I forget he had some monster seasons on the Knicks.

  16. Just FYI if you’re rounding (like you did with Hart), then Lamar Odom counts too with a 15/9/6 in 05-06. And he never hit All-NBA.

    Also Hart is playing great, but he’s just barely hitting these numbers through 15 games. Odds of him holding either are slim and both seems almost impossible.

  18. Of all the baby Lakers we drafted over the years that have gone on to have good careers, I miss him the most. Could always tell he was a cerebral player and a great personality to have on any team. Rooting for him!

  19. His assist numbers go crazy. Its kinda cool That he usually brings the ball down the court over Jalen often. The pipe dream would be the seen him average a triple double hahah

  20. I’ll never forget thinking it was a “Meh” trade because I confused Josh with Larry Nance when the trade was announced. But even when I realized who he was I still had no idea he would be this good for us

  22. The only one of those guys you might compare Hart to is Draymond. The others were/are all pretty dominant offensive players, and Draymond has historically been one of the best defensive players in the league.

  23. i was calling for precious to start instead of hart – because i was concerned hart’s reluctance to shoot would hurt the spacing and therefore make it not truly a “5 out” offense. some of that was true, especially early on. teams often put their worst defender on him (sometimes their center). i figured at least precious gives you more size and helps Kat with rim protection.

    but he and the knicks offense as a whole has really figured it out lately. a lot isn’t against great defenses (or teams) so the true test results are to be seen. but it is very encouraging how he’s been able to cut and playmake to go along with his solid defense and elite rebounding. he’s also been shooting with confidence lately which is huge (and making them at a decent enough rate).

  25. 9 rebounds and the highest 2p FG% in the league at 76% for someone that’s like 6’5″ is nasty work

  29. Josh Hart is going to be a first ballot selection to the role players HOF. All he needs is more missed/unrequited high fives.

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