Isaiah Hartenstein continues to insist there was nothing private when it got here to leaving the New York Knicks, however somewhat simply enterprise.
Hartenstein formally reintroduced himself to the world of basketball, leaping into the beginning lineup for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder after a pre-season damage stored him out of the early phases of this season. A two-year Knick, Hartenstein is averaging 13.3 factors and 12.2 rebounds in his first six appearances, on tempo to set new profession highs.
Regardless of such success – Oklahoma Metropolis (16-5) dominates the Western Convention heading into Thursday night time’s sport – it is clear that Hartenstein remains to be having fun with his time in New York, crediting the virtually each day electrical experiences at Madison Sq. Backyard with making ready him . for thunder with Thunder.
“It was necessary to play within the Mecca, to be in huge video games, particularly the playoffs,” Hartenstein stated in a profile. by Marc J. Sprears of Andscape. “Me and Jalen [Brunson] got here in there and form of modified the sport. It was huge. Enjoying within the backyard was all the time particular. Being there was a particular expertise.
Hartenstein joined the Knicks in 2022 after an distinctive season with the Los Angeles Clippers, the fruits of a number of excursions of Europe and the G League (together with profitable the latter’s Finals MVP award with the Houston affiliate in 2019). His rise in SoCal was no accident, as Hartenstein turned a significant depth star in New York.
His providers have been in excessive demand final yr when the Knicks wanted somebody to interchange the injured Mitchell Robinson, and he responded by averaging 9.4 rebounds and eight.7 factors in 49 begins. Regardless of the Knicks’ heartbreaking elimination within the second spherical of the playoffs, Hartenstein led all playoff contributors in whole offensive rebounds till the late phases of the NBA Finals, when he was lastly surpassed by Derek Energetic.
If Hartenstein cherished New York a lot, why did he go away? The supply himself as soon as once more highlighted Oklahoma Metropolis’s guarantees of huge salaries ($87.5 million over three years, in comparison with $72.5 million over 4 supplied by the Knicks) and in addition hinted that he was intrigued by the prospect of serving to a Thunder group that did nearly every part. final season, past its comparatively anemic rebound.
“It was laborious to depart. It wasn’t straightforward. I cherished being there and I cherished my teammates,” Hartenstein instructed Spears. “If I hadn’t been in a position to go to a spot like OKC, I do not assume I’d have left. However you additionally need to keep in mind that that is finally a enterprise. It is not like I had a complete bunch of $100 million contracts earlier than this. I had to verify my household was straight.
“It was a loopy expertise, going from a minimal contract to coaching camp with the Clippers. From there to that, it is a good little journey. Fairly often, you don’t perceive what you’re experiencing. However now, trying again, I would not change something on or off the pitch.
Whereas the Knicks initially struggled to fill the Hartenstein-shaped void of their lineupthey ultimately landed Karl-Anthony Cities in a commerce with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Within the eyes of some, Hartenstein will stay as an intriguing speculation misplaced within the revolution of Knicks historical past regardless of Cities’ regular rise early on.
There’s an opportunity the Knicks and Thunder will face off within the NBA Cup Championship Finals later this month. Regardless, the Knicks will face their newly put in annual pairing with Hartenstein subsequent month, along with his return for MSG scheduled for January 10.
