Hart didn’t agree with Thibodeau’s assessment. He also didn’t hesitate to shoot in the Knicks’ 24-point win over Charlotte.
The wing had a season-high 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting to help lift the Knicks to the quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament.
He hit two of his three 3-point attempts on Tuesday in a performance that mirrored his production last season with the Knicks.
"Just making quick decisions. I think that was the biggest thing just whether I was open or whether the shooter drove or swing the ball," Hart said after the win. ". ... Not trying to be too calculated and just play."
The timing of Hart’s big game was noteworthy. About an hour before tipoff, Hart made it clear that he disagreed with Thibodeau’s assertion that his role this season is the same as it was last year.
"I’m a rhythm player. So sometimes if I don’t touch the ball for four or five minutes running up and down the floor, just catch-and-shoot, I might as well be playing with a football," Hart said. "I feel like I have no feel for [the ball]. There are definitely times I [pass up shots] because I’m not in the rhythm. I don’t like the feel of it."
Hart said that he would bring the ball up more often last season. He added later that he is not at all disgruntled with his role. But he needs to adjust to it.
"I might have to change my style of play a little bit," Hart said. "And be more of a catch-and-shoot kind of guy. It really depends on what the team needs and if that’s what my role and my job is going to be this year, that’s what I have to do. I have to make the most of this situation and make the most of the minutes Thibs gives me."
Hart entered play Tuesday shooting 42 percent from the field and 29 percent from beyond the arc. Hart is a career 35 percent three-point shooter. He was blistering hot from beyond the arc last year in New York. Following his trade to the Knicks, Hart hit 52 percent of his threes in 25 games. Outside of shooting, Hart’s numbers are at or near his career averages. His rebounds, steals and assists per game are all equal to his career averages.
Unlike last season, Hart this season is defending the opposing team’s backup forward regularly. He moved into that role after the Knicks traded Obi Toppin to Indiana over the summer.
The Knicks clearly see Hart as a pivotal part of their success.
They signed him to a four-year, $81 million contract extension over the summer.
Thibodeau, generally, has little interest in talking about individual player struggles. He continuously says he cares about how a group functions together over how a specific player is performing. He reiterated that stance when talking about Hart Tuesday.
"The most important thing is to be mentally tough, to work through things. I think he’ll be there. He’s a good player," Thibodeau said. "The thing that I look at, that's the most important thing, is the net rating of the bench unit. So when you look at those four guys along with RJ [Barrett], it’s a plus-10, that’s at the top of the league.
"So, how’s the group functioning? Put what’s best for the team ahead of any individual stuff; it’s all about the team and sacrificing for the team. What’s changed a little bit for [Hart] maybe is defensively, in terms of how he has to guard a big. There’s still situations in which he’s going to guard the best offensive player. It’s one of his strengths. I want us to take advantage of that. But he can function well with both units. I don’t want him hesitating. If he’s open, shoot the ball."
Thibodeau was then asked if he’s talked to Hart about any of the issues the player has talked about.
"We’ve talked, we talk all the time. The thing is, do what’s best for the team, be mentally tough," the coach said.
GOING TO VEGAS?
Knicks players seem to like the In-Season Tournament. Several players said they were thinking about the point differential late in their win against Charlotte. New York clinched a spot in the In-Season quarterfinal round on Tuesday thanks to their point differential and overall Play-In record (3-1).
They will play in Milwaukee early next week. The Bucks beat the Heat shortly after the end of the Knicks game. That result ensured that the Knicks would play Milwaukee in the next round of the tournament.
Immanuel Quickley said some players thought they were going to Las Vegas after Tuesday’s results.
"We was saying we’re going to Vegas, like when you say you’re going to Disney World when you win the Super Bowl," Quickley said with a smile.
A member of the Knicks analytics department came in to the locker room and shared the news that the Knicks were actually headed to Milwaukee.
This matchup means the Knicks will play the Bucks five times this season.
"Whatever your circumstances are, you make the best of them," Thibodeau said. "They tell us we have to play this team five times, we play them five times. And be ready, whatever it is. If they say it’s eight times, be ready."
HART ON GRIMES’ ROLE
While speaking to reporters before the game about his offensive role, Hart brought up Quentin Grimes’ role in the Knicks offense. Like Hart, Grimes generally gets catch-and-shoot opportunities on the perimeter, though he has been attacking the paint more often recently.
"I know he’s in a really tough position. Just got to find ways to stay ready, to stay involved, to stay feeling good," Hart said. "I don’t know what’s going on through his mind. That can sometimes be very frustrating. He’s someone who takes the best matchup every game [as a defensive player] for 82 games. He’s someone who is very durable. That’s tough — especially when you feel like you’re giving everything you have. Just have to find ways to be aggressive, to be involved within the offense, within the system. And just try to make your way."
