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iHart best backup big man in the NBA?
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martin
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11/29/2023  12:02 PM
Ian's take:

After a failed season running it back with Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson at the backup five, New York inked Hartenstein to a two-year, $16 million contract. He’s more than earned his money in that time, arguably playing some of the best bench big man basketball in the league.

Hartenstein’s Knicks career began shakily, as he looked awkward in the offensive scheme and tentative on both ends around the rim. However, it quickly clicked how he would excel in a Tom Thibodeau system: by doing the dirty work.

He completely bought into the rim-protecting, rebound-chasing five role Thibs needs out of his centers, and it made him a force. Hartenstein finished sixth in offensive rebounding rate last season, averaging nine points and 11.9 rebounds per-36 minutes on 53.5 percent shooting.

New York didn’t miss a beat whenever Hartenstein took over for Mitchell Robinson, even defensively. The Knicks held opponents to 112.6 points per 100 possessions with Robinson, and 110.2 with Hartenstein.

These trends have continued into this season. Hartenstein is attacking the offensive glass with ferocity, securing 15.4 percent of offensive boards, good for third in the league.

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Nalod
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11/29/2023  12:09 PM
Remember we all lost it when he shot like .467 from 3pt with clippers until somebody looked up for the season he went 14/30?
Thoughts were we had a stretch 5!! LOL...........

Hope we can afford to keep him.
ToddTT
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11/29/2023  12:11 PM
IHart is perfect for this team.

Best backup center? I don’t know who’s better.

He can start any night, and I’m not worried about the position.
martin
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11/29/2023  12:13 PM
Strange that we don't see iHart shoot more but maybe it's just not working for him right now.

Love his passing with that second unit.

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EwingPSD
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11/29/2023  12:43 PM
This is homerific stretch. Al Horford, Naz, OKang, Mo Wagner. I-Hart is a good back/spot starter but is not the best backup big in the league
ToddTT
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11/29/2023  12:44 PM
EwingPSD wrote:This is homerific stretch. Al Horford, Naz, OKang, Mo Wagner. I-Hart is a good back/spot starter but is not the best backup big in the league

Yeah… Naz is a problem. Agreed.
VDesai
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11/29/2023  1:06 PM
I love iHart - I actually think in some respects his interior D (at the rim) is stronger than Mitch. Not a lot of blocks, but he goes up strong and prevents a lot of layups at the rim. He also has been showing a willingness to go out on the perimeter and defend this year. He is a jolt of energy every time he comes in. I feel like he's a key to a lot of crucial runs that we make in wins.

I wish he finished better around the basket/had better touch, but he's as good as you can ask for off the bench IMO.
Knixkik
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11/29/2023  6:15 PM
He’s no stretch-5 but he’s really good in this system. Probably a top 5 backup.
gradyandrew
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11/30/2023  3:34 AM
Does anyone see him as a starter? Non MVP centers are the running backs of the NBA. There are plenty of cheaper options out there so it's pretty unlikely the Knicks won't be able to resign him for an inflation adjusted increase this offseason. He's still young enough so likely he will be more interested in long term security than a big annual number. 4 for 50 sounds about right.
Moonangie
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11/30/2023  9:30 AM
He's Dudley on roids...more energy, better passer, similar grit, same total lack of touch around the rim.
GustavBahler
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11/30/2023  9:33 AM
Good enough to lock iHart into a long term deal, if a deal can be made.
KnickDanger
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11/30/2023  9:33 AM
gradyandrew wrote:Does anyone see him as a starter? Non MVP centers are the running backs of the NBA. There are plenty of cheaper options out there so it's pretty unlikely the Knicks won't be able to resign him for an inflation adjusted increase this offseason. He's still young enough so likely he will be more interested in long term security than a big annual number. 4 for 50 sounds about right.

“Running backs of the NBA” - I like that - they were once the premier positions and taken with the highest draft picks. And, yeah, now are plug and play.
SergioNYK
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11/30/2023  9:44 AM
Got to sign Hartenstein long term. Perfect insurance for Rob.
Panos
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11/30/2023  9:47 AM
Moonangie wrote:He's Dudley on roids...more energy, better passer, similar grit, same total lack of touch around the rim.

Come on. Dudley!?
Dudley was a stiff. No value behind his 6 fouls. His best asset were his sharp elbows.

iHart is involved. Defending smart, rebounding on both sides, scoring on putbacks, floaters, occasional jumper, and can pass well and make plays. Perfect in our system.
martin
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11/30/2023  12:36 PM
iHarts thoughts:

https://nypost.com/2023/11/30/sports/how-knicks-isaiah-hartenstein-became-one-of-nbas-best-backup-bigs/

And despite averages — 5.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game this season — that would normally prompt you to dismiss the player, Hartenstein is now fully in the conversation for the NBA’s best backup center.

“I feel like I am,” Hartenstein said. “I feel like it’s between me, [Minnesota’s] Naz Reid and probably [Atlanta’s] Onyeka Okongwu, probably us three.

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ToddTT
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11/30/2023  12:41 PM
martin wrote:iHarts thoughts:

https://nypost.com/2023/11/30/sports/how-knicks-isaiah-hartenstein-became-one-of-nbas-best-backup-bigs/

And despite averages — 5.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game this season — that would normally prompt you to dismiss the player, Hartenstein is now fully in the conversation for the NBA’s best backup center.

“I feel like I am,” Hartenstein said. “I feel like it’s between me, [Minnesota’s] Naz Reid and probably [Atlanta’s] Onyeka Okongwu, probably us three.

I think I’m the best poster. Maybe me and cooch. Probably.
martin
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11/30/2023  12:57 PM
ToddTT wrote:
martin wrote:iHarts thoughts:

https://nypost.com/2023/11/30/sports/how-knicks-isaiah-hartenstein-became-one-of-nbas-best-backup-bigs/

And despite averages — 5.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game this season — that would normally prompt you to dismiss the player, Hartenstein is now fully in the conversation for the NBA’s best backup center.

“I feel like I am,” Hartenstein said. “I feel like it’s between me, [Minnesota’s] Naz Reid and probably [Atlanta’s] Onyeka Okongwu, probably us three.

I think I’m the best poster. Maybe me and cooch. Probably.

You just wanted to say cooch in a post

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LivingLegend
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11/30/2023  1:02 PM
I-Hart been very steady almost always shows up night in night out - limited in some aspects but very nice player and good teammate by all accounts
LivingLegend
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11/30/2023  1:03 PM
VDesai wrote:I love iHart - I actually think in some respects his interior D (at the rim) is stronger than Mitch. Not a lot of blocks, but he goes up strong and prevents a lot of layups at the rim. He also has been showing a willingness to go out on the perimeter and defend this year. He is a jolt of energy every time he comes in. I feel like he's a key to a lot of crucial runs that we make in wins.

I wish he finished better around the basket/had better touch, but he's as good as you can ask for off the bench IMO.

I agree 100% with 1st paragraph and I-Hart is almost always in right position defensively - in sync with rotations.
LivingLegend
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11/30/2023  1:06 PM
Moonangie wrote:He's Dudley on roids...more energy, better passer, similar grit, same total lack of touch around the rim.

I don’t get the no touch around the rim comment - I think he’s got outstanding touch and a great little push floater. Is the push floater as high % as a dunk ? no but he Hart’s even got a little right hand baby hook.

If Mitch tried a baby left hand hook he’d be in hospital in traction for a month.
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iHart best backup big man in the NBA?
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