3 pressing Knicks questions that will be answered after All-Star break
1: Will Josh Hart sneak into the starting lineup?
Tom Thibodeau isn’t a coach that likes to make changes to his rotations often unless there’s an injury, but that hasn’t stopped Knicks fans from speculating on whether or not Josh Hart will slide into the starting lineup.
The 27-year-old couldn’t have had a better start with New York. He’s only played in three games but is averaging 17 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 62.1% from the field and 64.3% from three as a Knick. Fans knew that the team would be getting a good rebounder, defender, and scorer in Hart, but what they didn’t expect was for him to be the threat that he’s been from deep.
Meanwhile, RJ Barrett has struggled to be consistent. He finished with 17 points in the win over the Hawks but shot 6-of-16 from the floor and 0-of-6 from deep. Some fans want to see him go to the bench, but it’s hard to envision that happening. If Hart does become a starter, he’d likely replace Quentin Grimes, whose shot has been off as well.
However, the thing is that Hart-Hartenstein-Quickley coming off the bench has been a lethal combination for the Knicks. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it, right?
While it wouldn’t be surprising for Hart to replace Grimes in the starting lineup, don’t expect for that to happen. Fans will have to wait and see how it all plays out.
