Someone posted [Bondy’s article](https://nypost.com/2023/11/09/sports/julius-randle-had-ankle-pain-resisted-knicks-attempts-to-rest-him/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nypost_sitebuttons) earlier today and he wrote this:
> They have no natural second power forward, declining to replace Obi Toppin with another big man after trading Toppin to the Pacers in the summer.
> Josh Hart, normally a wing at 6-foot-4, has been Randle’s backup.
Am I the only one who think Josh Hart is perfectly fine as the backup PF, and in fact he fits very well with the fast pace game in the second unit? Josh Hart despite being shorter, is a better rebounder than Obi, and is significantly better on defense. He is also a marginally better 3-point shooter at 35% in his career even though he’s been in a slump, and is a craftier finisher in traffic than Obi.
I think Josh Hart is decent as our backup PF. Honestly don’t care if he’s 7’4 or 5’4 as long as dude can play D, get boards, and run the floor to blitz in transition. Thoughts?
by T-Bills
15 Comments
No. Trading Toppin was an unforced error.
He’s a great rebounder and a solid at the 4 at times. Although I don’t think it’s viable against teams that have traditional backup 4’s as he’ll get posted up and scored on pretty easily in the paint
I think he’s doing fine. Would like to have Taj eat up 5-6 mins a game tho
No
I think Hart is fine as the backup 4. I think Harts effectiveness is kind of negated playing next to Randle as Harts biggest strength is grabbing the rebound and going coast to coast which doesn’t happen at high frequency with Randle on the floor as he grabs a ton of rebounds so we aren’t getting a ton of the Hart signature plays and he is struggling finding his role. He plays better in the lineups with Randle off the floor it’s also why I thought he struggled playing next to Randle in the playoffs last year in the Heat series when he started. Hart thrives in transition and running his defense has been solid
Don’t love it, hast really hurt us yet. Things can go south if Randle gets hurt though. I don’t think it’s going to work too well in the playoffs unfortunately.
My opinion hasn’t changed since last year tbh.
I expect him to hustle for rebounds and make some 3s here and there. He’s a bully down low; I don’t care if he doesn’t score too often.
Honestly, this post should be about da Vinci and how he’s been an artist on the court these first 8 games. He’s a great pickup so far.
I actually think there’s been quite a few guys that have gotten the better of him in those PF minutes. BUT, it’s kind of a honey pot for the other team where if that’s the matchup the want to attack to get their bench big a shot at two points im kind of ok with that being there.
I’d like to see iHart play some back up at the 4 and give Sims some run at the 5.
He’s fine as long as Randle never misses a game. But that’s not realistic – they already should have sat him when his ankle was hurting him last week.
His defense and rebounding are good. He’s been an offensive liability once defenses are set. His shot has been 🗑️
BAD this team need a backup PF
I feel like hart and donte are both great rebounders so it makes up for a bit of the lost size. If randle gets hurt we’re fucked tho
Not a fan.
Sure he can rebound but there isn’t much else he can do.
Doesn’t shoot or hit open shots, has no handle…blah.
Seems bad for his numbers but good for the team