LAS VEGAS — Jalen Brunson was the Knicks’ splashy addition, one of many largest free-agent names to modify groups. He fills a decades-long gap at level guard.
However Isaiah Hartenstein, a rim-protecting, court-spacing, adept-passing middle, may find yourself being an important a part of Tom Thibodeau’s workforce subsequent 12 months, too. Simply ask his former coach, Tyronn Lue.
“He’ll be good [for them]. You'll be able to run stuff by means of him, he could make performs, he could make passes,” the Clippers’ coach advised The Submit in between video games at NBA summer season league. “Defensively, he’s one in all Thibs’ forms of guys. He can change on the 5 place, good within the drops. He’s very athletic and so he can do lots of various things.
“He had an important 12 months for us. With all of the accidents we had, for him to come back and fill in the way in which he did, he grew to become one in all our higher passers on the f5-man place.”
The 24-year-old Hartenstein just lately agreed to a two-year, $16 million cope with the Knicks, though the contract has but to be formally introduced. Lue stated the Clippers would have cherished to maintain the 7-footer, however they couldn’t make it work financially.
Hartenstein was a valued member of the workforce, beating out Harry Giles III for a roster spot in coaching camp and turning into the workforce’s backup middle by outplaying Serge Ibaka, who was ultimately traded. He averaged 8.3 factors, 4.9 rebounds and a pair of.4 assists final season whereas taking pictures 46.7 p.c from 3-point vary in 17.9 minutes per sport. He solely tried 0.4 3-pointers a sport final 12 months, however is able to hitting from past the arc.
“He can shoot the 3-point shot, which he did later within the season. We didn’t give sufficient credit score for doing that [earlier in the year],” Lue stated. referring to Hartenstein ending the season by hitting 9 of 16 makes an attempt from distance over his final eight video games. “His growth over the course of the season was simply actually good.”
He’s a robust defender, blocking 3.1 photographs per 100 possessions, which ranked because the ninth-highest determine within the league. Opponents made solely 47.5 p.c of their makes an attempt in opposition to him on the rim, which was the bottom within the NBA, in accordance with MavsMoneyBall.com.
Hartenstein needs to be a robust complement to beginning middle Mitchell Robinson due to the totally different dimension he presents. Whereas Robinson is a non-shooter who clogs up the paint, Hartenstein will stretch the ground and enhance the Knicks’ spacing.
The American-born massive man has come a good distance in his profession. A second-round choose of the Rockets in 2017 who spent most of his youth in Germany, he performed components of three seasons within the G-League and was the G-League Finals MVP in 2019. He started to carve out a distinct segment for himself with the Cavaliers in 2020-21 after being traded to Cleveland by the Nuggets earlier than his sturdy season with the Clippers final 12 months.
“I’m glad for him, getting the contract he received,” Lue stated. “He undoubtedly deserves it. Once you see guys like that, who form of moved round a bit of bit they usually get an actual alternative, and making the cash he’s making, I’m glad for him. Nice teammate, guys love taking part in with him. Any time you've got a pass-first man, guys will love taking part in with them.”
Post a Comment