Jalen Brunson takes an altruistic view of the NBA Cup prize.
Josh Hart thinks about him.
The distinction between the teammates, offered with Hart’s traditional humor, performed out over the 2 days main as much as the Knicks’ 121-106 victory Tuesday to advance to the spherical of 16 of the NBA Cup.
With three extra wins — together with subsequent week’s quarterfinals in opposition to the Hawks — the Knicks get the $515,000 per participant prize.
“It might imply rather a lot [to win]. It might imply rather a lot to us to get [to Las Vegas for the final] and do all that,” Brunson mentioned. “You’ve gotten guys on the crew who might have one-year contracts or two-way offers or no matter. And you may go on the market and attempt to win for them and meaning rather a lot.
As Brunson talked about, prize cash is steady throughout your entire roster and has disproportionate worth to gamers who earn much less.
For instance, first place cash represents a bonus of about 50 p.c for Ariel Hukporti and only one p.c for Karl-Anthony Cities.
There may be additionally a rise of $206,000 for second locations, $103,000 for semi-finalists and $51,500 for quarter-finalists.
Hart, who makes greater than $18 million this season, has his eyes set on luxurious objects.
“It helped increase some cash, so I may purchase a watch or one thing with it,” Hart mentioned. “I needed a brand new automotive. It is discovered cash, so I will do one thing silly with it.
Former Knick Isaiah Hartenstein is again from his fractured hand, enjoying effectively and had some attention-grabbing feedback following his Thunder’s current sport in opposition to the Rockets.
“Some guys, I will be sincere, play selfishly,” Hartenstein mentioned Sunday. “There are guys within the league who play extra for themselves. [and] they do not play for the crew. [OKC stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams] do not do it. They’re very crew oriented and I feel that is what makes us nice.
“I feel a whole lot of NBA stars type of take away a whole lot of defensive performs,” the middle added. “That’s not the case and I really feel like that’s what makes them very selfless.”
Hartenstein did not identify any of the celebrities he criticized, nevertheless it’s a pure bounce to his former teammates.
He performed the final two seasons with Julius Randle and Brunson in New York.
Earlier than that, Hartenstein was with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Nikola Jokic at completely different stops.
Hartenstein, who left the Knicks in free company for an $87 million wage, was sidelined to begin the marketing campaign with a damaged hand.
He then performed 5 straight video games for OKC earlier than Tuesday, averaging a powerful 15.2 factors, 13.8 rebounds and three.8 assists whereas taking pictures 61.1 p.c.
The Thunder, a championship contender, have been 4-1 with him within the lineup.
It has been a smoother transition on the Knicks’ half than for Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, who wanted a two-game successful streak to get the Timberwolves again to .500 at 10-10.
DiVincenzo is taking pictures simply 35.8 p.c.
The identify “Brunson” grew 161% for canine in 2024, in keeping with Rover.com.
