Knicks’ Josh Hart outlines his new role in revamped offense | Sporting News

The New York Knicks now have the firepower to be one of the best offenses in the NBA.

With Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks have three players capable of spreading the floor, creating their own shot, or creating for others. Around them is plenty of shooting and cutting that should make it difficult for defenses to load up.

For a player like Josh Hart, it represents a change from last year. With several rotation players injured in the second half of the season and playoffs, Hart took on an expanded role. In the postseason alone, Hart averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists per game while averaging over 42 minutes per game. He attempted 11 shots per contest and posted a 16.5% usage, up from 13.5% in the regular season.

While speaking to reporters, Hart acknowledged he’ll play a smaller role on offense, but one he graciously accepts.

“At the end of the day, my job isn’t to go out there and score 20,” Hart said, via Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. “It’s not to go out there and force things offensively and try to make things happen.

“My job is to rebound, defend at a high level, offensively kind of be a connector, get into the lane and find guys for open shots, get the rebound, push the pace and get us easy transition buckets.

“I don’t worry about shots. The shots will come how I play. How I play is very random. The shots will be there. I think I shot the ball twice [Sunday]. At the end of the day, I don’t think any team’s won without several people sacrificing. If that’s me sacrificing points, I will gladly do that.”

Hart does indeed add a dose of randomness to the Knicks offense, with his coast-to-coast fastbreaks, pushes in transition, and willingness to cut off the ball in the half-court.

Hart already showed in the Knicks’ first preseason game that he can impact the Knicks offense while hardly touching the ball, setting up Mikal Bridges for an easy drive with a push in transition.

The value of Josh Hart. The best transition playmaker on the Knicks finding his old college teammate Mikal Bridges open in the corner. pic.twitter.com/VgEjJSeIJE

— DJ (@DJAceNBA) October 6, 2024

As Hart also noted, he’ll still play a large role on the Knicks this year. New York will badly need his rebounding, defense, and willingness to play off the ball.

Hart just might not get the triple-doubles he was accumulating during last year’s run. He seems okay with it.

27-year-old NBA sharpshooter projected to make Knicks roster, rotation

Bill Simmons names confusing reason he’s worried about Jalen Brunson this season

Karl-Anthony Towns praises Jalen Brunson’s $113 million sacrifice with Knicks