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Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo have been through a full 360-degree experience with the New York Knicks in the past year. At this point last summer, the former Viillanova Wildcat teammates were penciled in to come off the bench in the Knicks lineup.
It started that way. Hart began the season as a backup power forward but he filled multiple roles as a starter after Julius Randle’s shoulder injury. DiVincenzo kicked off his first season as a Knick on the bench before usurping Quentin Grimes’ role in the starting lineup. Now, thanks to the presence of OG Anunoby, the addition of college teammate Mikal Bridges, and the return of Randle from injury, both Hart and DiVincenzo will likely begin the 2024-25 season on the bench.
It will be a considerable departure for Hart who played at least 40 minutes in the first nine playoff games for the Knicks, and had several games where he went the distance. DiVincenzo wasn’t far behind, averaging 35.8 minutes in the postseason. Both players were crucial to New York’s first 50-win season in over a decade. Hart provided hustle, rebounding and toughness while DiVincenzo had the best three-point shooting season in franchise history.
May 8, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) celebrates after making a three point shot in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers during game two of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
It’s clear they both are tone-setters and had a hand in establishing the Knicks’ identity as a physical and hard-nosed team last season. But with Anunoby and Bridges set to man both wing positions in the starting lineup, there will be significantly less minutes available on the perimeter compared to last year.
That should be an adjustment for two players who had such a pivotal role last year. If the Knicks play lineups with a traditional center like Mitchell Robinson or lean in on backup Precious Achiuwa significantly, we might see a lot less of Hart and DiVincenzo. But if head coach Tom Thibodeau entertains playing smaller lineups with Randle at the five, there…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/impact-josh-hart-donte-divincenzo-150336035.html
Author : SNY
Publish date : 2024-09-03 15:03:36
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