New York will be rocking the "Nova Knicks" team-up between Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges this season. They were previously teammates for the Villanova Wildcats in the 2015-16 NCAA season. Ahead of the coming season, Donte DiVincenzo was traded to the Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns, and Hart jokingly blamed Isaiah Hartenstein for the former Wilcat's departure.
The four-player tandem would have looked incredible on the court, considering the established chemistry between them from their collegiate days. The Athletic's James L. Edwards III reported on Hart's hilarious comments as Hartenstein left the Knicks to sign a three-year, $87 million deal with the OKC Thunder.
"I feel like we should blame Isaiah Hartenstein. It's all his fault," Hart said.
After Hartenstein left, the Knicks' front office knew it needed to acquire a suitable big man in the offseason. Mitchell Robinson remains on the team but has undergone several injury setbacks. He is still recovering from the ankle surgery he had in May.
Towns is certainly an incredible upgrade for the Knicks squad at the center position. He provides interior scoring they didn't have and improves the team's spacing as he can knock down perimeter shots.
Knicks' Josh Hart had some jokes about his former center teammate following the Thunder trade
When Isaiah Hartenstein signed his new deal to band forces with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, Josh Hart quickly reacted with some jokes aimed at his former teammate.
"You are dead to me Zay. I never liked you anyways. But congrats on the bag," Hart posted.
Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points (64.4% shooting), 8.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game last season. He is envisioned as a pivotal piece for an OKC squad that needed a prominent presence at the center spot. This move further bolsters their frontcourt when paired alongside Chet Holmgren. It opens more pick-and-roll opportunities for him, while Hartenstein focuses on providing interior rim protection.
Knicks guard clapped back at Brandon Jennings' criticism of New York squad
During the July 17 episode of "Gil's Arena," former Bucks guard Brandon Jennings expressed his enthusiastic stance on New York as a threat in the NBA. In response, Josh Hart highlighted Jennings' lackluster resume and reputation.
"If you never won anything in your life, you can't talk about winning," Hart said. "For guys who've only been losers to talk about how to win is foolish to me."
Hart didn't appreciate where Jennings was coming from, as he didn't have the body of work to back up his criticisms on what makes a competitive basketball team.
Last season, New York finished as the second seed in the Eastern Conference standings with a 50-32 record. They ranked seventh offensively and ninth defensively.
