"It was a blessing in disguise," Brown told ESPN Monday on the eve of New York's title game showdown against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. "I was open and honest. He hadn't played a lot in the preseason because he got hurt early on, so I didn't have a great feel for how to use him, when to use him, what his game was completely like."
"In that conversation, Brown said, Hart took accountability for not playing well, saying "we have standards". Brown said the candor has helped their relationship develop. "[Hart said] I'm one of the leaders on this team, I can't think of myself in this situation. I have to let the process unfold."
"The emotions are often telegraphed on Hart's face, as easily detectable as an errant pass he often intercepts. So when he grumbled to no one in particular following a 124-107 home loss to the Orlando Magic on Nov. 12, saying "I've never been benched twice in the fourth quarter," on his way out of the Knicks locker room, it felt like the Knicks were on the verge of an early crisis."
A meeting between first-year coach Mike Brown and veteran guard Josh Hart changed Hart's role and helped steady the New York Knicks. Hart began the season in a reserve role and was benched late in multiple November games, prompting Brown to meet with the 30-year-old. The conversation led to Hart's return to the starting five and a run in which the Knicks won nine of 10 games. Brown said Hart accepted responsibility and emphasized team standards, and Brown credited their candid exchange with strengthening their relationship. Hart had battled injuries and emotional fluctuations while adjusting to Brown's coaching change.
Read at ESPN.com
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