Josh Hart complains about what he has to do. It’s a part of his personality, a kvetch. Then he proceeds to passionately, diligently, perform whatever task he was just griping about.
You know the type, if it’s not yourself. The guy who grumbles out loud about mowing the lawn only to finish the job with the sweat equity of an ultramarathoner or precision of a backyard Da Vinci.
And if that’s a plea for appreciation, we’re here to give it to the hard-nosed Hart. He deserves it.
Through all the injuries and roller coasters, no Knick has devoted his body to this season as consistently as Hart. The shot is erratic, as we know, sometimes aggravating with the way defenses leave him wide open on the perimeter.
But there’s never been a performance that casts doubt on Hart’s commitment to the task. Only his words. And everybody understands it at this point.
“I think he just talks the talk, if that makes sense,” Jalen Brunson said. “He’s like a — I’m going to be nice — he says whatever he wants to say, but when he goes out there, when it’s time to compete, it doesn’t matter who or what is in front of him.”
Brunson has been the unquestionable engine this season for the Knicks, the All-Star who is learning very rapidly about the burden of being the opposition’s first, second and third focus. But Hart has been the glue these last 10 games amid the trade turnover and injury avalanche, the scuffed knees, get-your-hands-dirty style necessary to team success.
“A lot of the things that he does aren’t measured statistically. They’re just fly all over the place, hustle, get to loose balls, hit the open man,” Tom Thibodeau said. “And often times he’s not getting the assist but he’s making the play. So those toughness plays, it gives your team heart.”
Some players take it easier after securing a contract extension. Hart, fresh off signing his $80 million deal (that hasn’t even kicked in yet), is playing more than ever. He’s second on the team in total minutes, behind only Brunson. He’s tied with Donte DiVincenzo for most games played, missing a single contest in January. He leads the team in loose balls recovered this season, by far, with 54.
When OG Anunoby stepped out with elbow pain, Hart stepped in. He averaged a double-double in 39 minutes with 5.5 assists in the 10 games without Anunoby and Julius Randle, helping keep the Knicks afloat with a .500 record during this treacherous stretch.
Hart lacks the size, consistent shot and defensive discipline of Anuboby, but the 28-year-old makes up for it with dogged determination. This all after he complained about his body being exhausted for various reasons, whether it was the summer with Team USA or playing out of position with the Knicks.
“I’m going to complain,” Hart said Friday. “I’m going to find somehow, and someway to complain about something.”
Complaining but producing with a very realistic approach to his offense. Hart may talk about getting more involved in the offense, but, in a real moment Friday, he also explained why he’s at peace with his meager 7.2 shots per game.
Hart said he long ago found his calling at the highest level of basketball, drawing upon a rant from the effort-and-energy master Patrick Beverley. Hart was a senior at Villanova, and coach Jay Wright took the team to the Wells Fargo Center to watch the Rockets hold a morning shootaround.
Beverley, then a Rockets guard, started unloading at a stranger in the arena.
“Typical Pat Bev, just yelling random s–t half the time. And it was funny because he was yelling at Coach Wright, I don’t even think he knows Coach Wright,” Hart said. “Beverley was yelling, ‘Not everybody can be James Harden, but I can be the best Pat Bev.’
“And it was just that mentality of grinding, doing the dirty work, doing all those little things that helps the team win. Gets you well paid. So that’s just something I take pride in.”
The Hart & Soul, whether he likes it or not.
“Do I like playing the power forward? No. Do I like guarding little shooters running around screens? No,” Hart said. “But there’s no team has won without sacrificing. So as much as I hate something, if Thibs says we need you to do this, I’m going to go out there and do it, and do it to the best of my ability.”
