New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown has likened Josh Hart to Andre Iguodala, who won four NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors.
Brown, who coached Iguodala as an assistant under Steve Kerr, made the comparison after Hart’s performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Hart scored a playoff career-high of 26 points in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, contributing to a 109-93 victory for the Knicks, putting them ahead 2-0 in the series.
Hart’s Impact Beyond Statistics
Brown suggested that Hart’s value transcends conventional statistical analysis. According to Brown, focusing solely on “X’s and O’s” and box score statistics overlooks the crucial winning mentality that players like Hart and Iguodala bring to the game.
“… You’re looking at X’s and O’s, and you want everything to be perfect, and you’re looking at the box score, and you’re looking at this, and, with Josh and with Andre, all that s*** should be thrown out the window cause those dudes are winners,” Brown said.
Hart recorded 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and only 1 turnover in the win.
Hart on the Iguodala Comparison and Analytics
When asked about the comparison to Iguodala, Hart expressed humility. “Iggy, first off, was a hell of a player,” Hart said. “I don’t know if I’m at that level. But I just try to go out there and just play my game.”
Hart, who had been shooting 26.7% from 3 during the playoffs, made 5 of 11 from deep in Game 2 versus Cleveland.
Hart also shared his perspective on the role of analytics in basketball, stating, “I’m never a huge analytics guy. At a certain point, they’re a lamppost to a drunk person. You can lean on ’em, but it won’t get you home.”
Knicks centre Karl-Anthony Towns reacted humorously to Hart’s analogy.
Hart Credits College Coach for Analytics Quote
Hart attributed his “lamppost” quote to his head coach at Villanova, Jay Wright. Wright notably guided Hart and fellow Knicks Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson to a national championship in 2016.
Another version of that quote was uttered years ago by ex-Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference.
Bridges and Brunson won it all with the Wright-led Wildcats in 2018, too.
Hart doubled down on the accuracy of the quote, leading to an exchange that drew more laughter from the assembled media in the bowels of Madison Square Garden.
Hart quipped back, “I was with Cal,” Towns said, referencing his one-season stay at Kentucky under then-Wildcats head coach John Calipari, “so I ain’t hear that.”
Hart’s performance and Brown’s comparison highlight the intangible qualities that can contribute to a team’s success.