Ever since his arrival with the New York Knicks during the 2022-23 season, Josh Hart has proven to be an indispensable component of the team’s pursuit of a championship.
While he might not carry the All-Star prestige of a Jalen Brunson or Karl-Anthony Towns, or command the high price tag of a Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby, supporters unequivocally recognize the 30-year-old’s profound impact on the team’s achievements.
This widespread appreciation for Hart’s contributions has recently reached broader recognition, with Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz stating that Hart embodies a style of play “that all teams need to win.”
Knicks Devotees Already Understand Josh Hart’s ‘Winning Impact’
In his list of the most underrated players currently in the NBA, Swartz, who positioned Hart at number seven, lauded the Knicks standout for his versatile, ‘Swiss Army Knife’ contributions on the court, especially noting his capacity to outperform expectations for someone his stature.
“Hart stands out as the NBA’s premier rebounder relative to his height. He’s the sole player at 6’5″ or under to achieve a total rebound percentage of 13.0 percent or more (13.6 percent), and he almost posted a double-double last season (13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds) despite his stature,” Swartz said of Hart.
Now in his ninth NBA season, and his third full year with the Knicks, Hart appears to be enjoying what could be considered the most complete all-around performance of his professional journey.
In 47 appearances this season, the forward is putting up solid numbers: 11.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists (a personal best), and 1.1 steals, with shooting splits of 49.4 percent from the field and a career-high 39.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Unsurprisingly, Swartz has been particularly impressed by Hart’s influence on the Knicks since his permanent move to the starting lineup. Over 33 games in this role, he has averaged 12.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals, shooting 49.8 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from three-point range, all while ranking third on the team in plus-minus (plus-5.3).
Furthermore, New York has achieved a 23-10 record during this period, a significant improvement from their average 8-9 performance when coach Mike Brown “mistakenly” deployed him off the bench. Moreover, the team holds a modest .500 record (6-6) in the 12 games Hart has missed during the 2025-26 season.
From his often-overlooked ball-handling and playmaking prowess to his exceptional rebounding capabilities—as lauded by Swartz—the seasoned player is a relentless force, bringing an unparalleled level of engagement and dynamism across every aspect of the game, a quality scarcely matched by anyone else in the league, let alone within this specific roster.
Ultimately, despite not being the Knicks’ primary star player, it’s clear that Josh Hart genuinely embodies the spirit and core of the team.