The New York Knicks are picking up right where they left off-and maybe even a step ahead. After last season’s deep playoff run, they’ve returned with a roster that’s not just talented, but cohesive. And right in the middle of that chemistry is Josh Hart, doing exactly what he does best: everything.
Let’s be clear-Hart isn’t lighting it up from three. He’s not your go-to scorer.
But that’s not the point. What makes this Knicks team so effective is that they don’t need Hart to be something he’s not.
They’ve built a system that lets him lean into his strengths-and when he does, the whole team levels up.
A System Built for Hart to Thrive
The Knicks’ rotation flexibility is a big part of the story. When they want to stretch the floor, they can plug in Karl-Anthony Towns at the five and surround Hart with four legitimate shooting threats.
That spacing covers up Hart’s shooting limitations while amplifying his ability to slash, rebound, and make hustle plays. And when the game calls for more grit, they can swap Towns for Mitchell Robinson and lean into a defense-first identity-without ever needing to take Hart off the floor.
That’s the luxury of having a player like Hart. He’s not a star in the traditional sense, but his minutes are consistently among the most impactful on the team.
He rebounds like a power forward, defends like a specialist, and fills every gap in the flow of the game. He doesn’t need a play called for him to make a difference-he just needs to be out there.
The Brunson-Towns-Hart Triangle
Offensively, Hart’s fit next to Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns has been seamless. Brunson handles the shot creation and initiates the offense, while Towns draws enough defensive attention to open up the floor.
That combination creates driving lanes and second-chance opportunities-exactly the kind of situations where Hart shines. He turns broken plays into transition buckets, offensive rebounds into extra possessions, and energy into momentum.
He’s the guy who makes the plays that don’t show up in the box score but swing the game anyway.
Defensive Versatility and Thibodeau’s Trust
On the other end, Hart’s defensive value has only grown. With the Knicks leaning into a more versatile, switchable scheme, Tom Thibodeau has handed Hart more responsibility-often matching him up with bigger wings who can overwhelm smaller guards. It’s a trust that speaks volumes, and Hart’s ability to guard multiple positions gives New York a safety net when defensive rotations break down.
He’s not just a plug-in defender anymore-he’s part of the foundation of how this team guards.
Continuity Breeds Chemistry
What’s also clear is how much Hart benefits from the continuity on this roster. The Knicks didn’t overhaul their core, and that familiarity is paying off.
Hart is a player who thrives on anticipation-reading the floor, jumping passing lanes, rotating early. That kind of instinct only works when you trust the guys around you, and this group gives him that confidence.
The result? A team that looks sharp, connected, and hard to rattle.
The Glue That Holds It All Together
As the season unfolds, it’s getting harder and harder to picture the Knicks without Josh Hart playing a central role. He’s not their leading scorer.
He’s not their primary playmaker. But he’s the glue-the connective tissue that links stars to role players, offense to defense, and effort to execution.
New York has built a structure that maximizes every part of Hart’s game. And in return, Hart gives them exactly what every contending team needs: a player who does all the little things that turn good teams into great ones.