Josh Hart challenges analytics after his great game: "Sometimes the numbers don't bring you home"

The analysis of the box score from the New York Knicks' victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first game of the series on Tuesday might suggest that Josh Hart had a rough outing.

Not only did he shoot below 50 percent from the field and under 20 percent from three-point range, but he also committed two turnovers, played only 31 minutes in a game that went to overtime, and ended with a plus/minus of -23, indicating that when he was on the court, the Knicks were outscored by 23 points.

In the second game on Thursday, Hart, at first glance, had a much better performance. He scored 26 points, including 5 of 11 from beyond the arc, dished out seven assists, grabbed four rebounds, added two steals, and had just one turnover. His plus/minus was +18. Hart himself acknowledged that the second game was better, although he doesn't believe the first was necessarily negative from his perspective.

“I've never been a big fan of analytics,” he said on Thursday night. “At some point, they're like a lamppost for a drunk person: you can lean on it, but it won't take you home. There comes a time when you have to have good feelings about the game.”

Hart's comparison, which elicited laughter from the journalists and also from Karl-Anthony Towns, who was seated next to him, was highlighted within the team environment. The Knicks coach, Mike Brown, agreed that Hart's impact goes beyond statistics.

“He does a lot of little things that don’t show up in the box score,” Brown pointed out. “Obviously, he shot well tonight, scored 26 points, handed out seven assists, one turnover, but he does much more.”

To assess Hart's real impact in the game, it is necessary to look beyond the numbers and observe his presence on the court. That may include defending the opponent's best player, recovering a loose ball at a critical moment that changes the momentum of the game, or even intervening in the locker room during timeouts.

Whatever it is, the coaching staff appreciates it. Brown went as far as comparing him to another player he coached during his time with the Golden State Warriors: Andre Iguodala.

“They are different players, but similar because Andre also has character,” Brown explained. “He is a great player who does many little things that, if you're not attentive, you won't appreciate. With Josh, it’s the same.”

Iguodala played 19 seasons in the NBA, and although his numbers never stood out prominently except for a few years with the Philadelphia 76ers, he had a significant impact in his role.

During the Warriors' dynasty in the 2010s, it was common for him not to start, yet he influenced the game to the extent of being named the Finals MVP in 2015, averaging 10.4 points in those playoffs.

Tremendous Performance by Hart

Apart from his offensive performance on Thursday, Hart fits a similar profile for the Knicks, explaining the confidence the coach has in him.

“Due to his impact as a connector, I have to give him more leeway than other players,” Brown stated. “I have to let him be himself and not interfere too much. That's difficult as a coach because you're focused on systems, the box score, and perfection. But with Josh, just like with Andre, sometimes all of that has to be put aside because they are players who help win.”

Hart appreciated the words and the comparison to a historically significant player, although he keeps his focus on his collective performance. “Iggy was a great player; I don't know if I'm at that level, but I try to go out and play my game,” said Josh Hart.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Josh Hart desafía la analítica tras su partidazo: “A veces los números no te llevan a casa”