After six seasons as an NBA journeyman, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder heart Isaiah Hartenstein discovered the one factor he yearned for all through his profession: stability. Hartenstein signed a three-year, $87 million contract with the Thunder this summer time. In an interview with Andscape, he defined what prompted his resolution to depart the New York Knickswho provided the 7-footer a much less profitable contract (4 years, $72.5 million). Nonetheless, for Isaiah, it wasn’t nearly cash.
Deciding between staying with the Knicks and beginning a brand new chapter with the Thunder was a problem. Whereas taking part in at Madison Sq. Backyard, Hartenstein cherished his one season with the Knicks. Nonetheless, staff up with All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and the up-and-coming Oklahoma Metropolis staff was too good a suggestion value passing up, in accordance with Marc Spears of Andscape.
“It was onerous to depart. It wasn’t straightforward. I cherished being there and I cherished my teammates,” Hartenstein mentioned. “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 should keep in mind that that is finally a enterprise. It isn’t like I had an entire 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, wanting again, I would not change something on or off the pitch.
Hartenstein is off to a unprecedented begin to his tenure with the Thunder. After posting 5 straight double-doubles, he’s averaging 13.3 factors on 12.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 blocks per sport. Nonetheless, the veteran heart’s begin to 2024-25 was not perfect.
How Mark Daigneault helped injured Isaiah Hartenstein
Thunder Middle Isaiah Hartenstein suffered a small non-displaced fracture left hand, which pressured him to overlook the primary 15 video games of the common season. To maintain morale up, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault gave his new heart a sports activities psychology ebook to learn to assist him recuperate.
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Daigneault provided him The Impediment is the Means: The Timeless Artwork of Turning Trials Into Triumph by Ryan Vacation.
“It helped rather a lot all through the method of [the injury]”, Hartenstein mentioned. “Simply learn this and undergo every impediment with out losing time.”
Hartenstein took over, beginning rather than Chet Holmgren on a 16-5 Thunder staff with the very best file within the Western Convention.
