2024-01-27 08:52:00
Before the injury, the rebounding leader entering 2024 had always been dominated by the little-known Isaiah Hartenstein. His appearance not only filled the center vacancy of the Knicks due to the retirement of Mitchell Robinson, but also became a better player than Mitchell with his strong conduction ability. More suitable for the existence of a hub in the Big Apple. Perhaps it wasn’t until this moment that everyone remembered how he was expected to be…
“I really don’t know why.”
“I listened to a lot of advice and did everything I might for my health.”
“But I’m out for the damn season once more.”
“It’s been another disappointing year.”
At the end of December, Knicks center Mitchell Robinson wrote these words on his personal social media. It is not difficult to see how disappointed he was. After all, he only played 59 games last season due to injuries. He finally returned this season, but was forced to retire for the entire season due to a fractured left ankle.
Robinson has amazing flexibility and mobility, which makes him one of the best blue-collar centers in the league, and also made the Knicks executives willing to sign a four-year extension with him. However, along with his ability to protect the frame is his injury-prone physique. In six seasons in the league, he has only played more than 60 games in three seasons, which may also explain why Robinson was so frustrated following learning that he was out for the season.
However, the entire Knicks team did not collapse because of the collapse of the center in the penalty area. On the contrary, they found a more adaptable center on the bench, that is, Isaiah Hartenstein.
“His performance was outstanding.”
“With Mitch out, his playing time has increased.”
“He has successfully filled this role and we are all delighted regarding it.”
“We all believe he has this ability.”
Being praised like this by the team’s ace Jalen Brunson means that Hartenstein has indeed performed well. Since he was appointed as the starter at the end of December, Hartenstein has averaged 7.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.5 steals and 1.5 steals per game in 16 games. Blocking data; in comparison, Robinson averaged 6.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks before being reimbursed. In all aspects, Hartenstein is much better, not to mention that Hartenstein also averages 3.1 assists per game. This makes him not only an offensive end point, but also a starting point for support compared to Robinson, who only has 0.7 assists. .
“He’s really great.”
“Especially in protecting the rebounds, his performance was impressive.”
“If this were Mitch’s numbers, I would be used to it.”
“But for Isaiah to perform like this, I think he’s like a monster.”
In the Knicks, in addition to people like Brunson who believe in Hartenstein’s ability, more people are surprised by Hartenstein’s current results, including Julius Randle. Randle expressed his surprise in interviews when Hartenstein finished with a career-high 20 rebounds and five blocks.
To be honest, it’s not because they don’t believe in Hartenstein, it’s because it’s incredible that a backup player can step into the starting lineup and perform so well.
However, this may be what people expect from Hartenstein in 2017…
After Nowitzki, the most promising German striker
“I have black blood in me and I know it’s hard to show it through the color of my skin.”
“They always said: ‘This is impossible!’ and then they understood everything when they met my father.”
Although he has a white appearance and holds German and American passports, Isaiah Hartenstein is an African-American whose skin color comes from his white mother. When he was 11 years old, his family moved to Germany with his father, Florian Hartenstein, a professional player. There, Isaiah learned German and followed in his father’s footsteps to become a basketball player. He played for Germany in the 2014 U16 European Championship and the 2015 and 2016 U18, and was able to contribute 11.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2 assists. .
“I was a regular role player, rebounding and screening.”
“That’s why I wanted him to be the opposite of me.”
“So I often let him play guard so he can practice dribbling and passing more.”
Isaiah inherited his father’s height when he was very young, but Florian, who was a blue-collar worker, wanted his son to be better than himself, so he put Isaiah in the backcourt position during training since he was a child, so that he would not be affected by his height. Go play inside, thus missing the opportunity to hone other skills.
With this position-agnostic training policy and the European tactical system that emphasizes conduction, Hartenstein has become a versatile man who can pass the ball, protect the frame, have vision, and although the outside line is unstable, his shooting posture is standard, which can be practiced. young potential.
Moreover, Hartenstein also has outstanding explosive power inherited from his family. This makes the 7-foot-old him different from many slow-paced European players in terms of speed and flexibility. It also gave him the potential to enter the first round in 2017.
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