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New York Knicks star Josh Hart joked around as he bid farewell to Fred Katz, one of the most prominent beat reporters covering the Knicks.
Katz announced his move to a new role on X, formerly Twitter, to which Hart responded with a sarcastic comment on Monday.
"Thank God. We didn’t want you anyways 😂🤝🏻" Hart tweeted.
Josh Hart often jokes around with friendly jabs at people he feels comfortable with. Featuring on the "Roommates Show" at Fanatics Fest in New York last month, Hart talked about the roasting culture in the Knicks and how that helped unite the team and develop a close bond.
While Fred Katz takes up the role as a Senior NBA Writer for The Athletic, Detroit Pistons beat reporter James L. Edwards III will take u[ Katz's previous role for the Knicks.
Knicks legend explains admiration for Josh Hart last season
With his hustling performance for the New York Knicks last season, Josh Hart impressed Knicks legend Larry Johnson.
In an interview on Knicks Fan TV which premiered last week, Johnson had much praise for Hart as he picked the six-foot-four forward as the current Knicks player he would have liked to play with.
"Man, what Josh Hart did was unreal," Johnson said. "Now, of course you've got your Jalens (Brunson) and Julius (Randle) and all that, but I'm on the front row watching — now Josh is not a big dude. Josh not a big dude. But the effort he was giving, it remind you of ... a six-foot-five, six-foot-six Dennis Rodman. Just going after everything. Just the intensity.
"And when you have a guy like that who's going to sacrifice for the team and say, 'You don't gotta run a play for me, Coach. You don't have to run a play. I get mine off tip-ins, off offensive rebounds, running the floor. I get mine that way.' So, yeah, what Hart did, I wouldn't have minded playing with him."
Watch the segment at 12:33 here:
While Josh Hart isn't a natural scorer or shooter, he made an impact for the New York Knicks with his hustle in rebounding and defense.
In the absence of Julius Randle due to injury, Hart had an elevated role for the team, averaging 42.2 minutes per game during their playoff run and coming up big for the team on numerous occasions.
Hart will likely have a reduced role for the Knicks in the upcoming season with the return of Randle and OG Anunoby along with the addition of Mikal Bridges. However, Knicks fans will rest easy knowing that he will give it his all when called upon as seen in the previous season.
