Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
NEW YORK — Josh Hart and the New York Knicks are preparing for their upcoming second round playoff series vs the Indiana Pacers, which is set to begin on Monday evening at Madison Square Garden.
And the Pacers present a new challenge for the Knicks, as they boast one of the most efficient offenses in the league. But one player on the Pacers roster who embodies the defensive-first attitude is point guard TJ McConnell.
“Annoying little s–t,” Josh Hart told reporters on Sunday.
“T.J. McConnell is an annoying little s–t that just runs around, causes chaos, picks up 94 feet, someone that plays the game of basketball extremely at a high level, competitive as hell,” Hart said. “So we know once Tyrese [Haliburton] goes [to the bench], it’s not like we can sit there and relax. You’ve got someone in T.J. who could be a starting point guard for any other team in this league.”
Hart also took some (friendly) personal jabs at McConnell.
“Exactly: And that’s why I love him. He’s someone who is doubted, he doesn’t pass the eye test, he’s someone who’s extremely gritty, he’s someone who can go out there and get you 20, nine assists, six rebounds and four steals and pick up 94 feet. So that’s definitely — we have a lot of comparisons obviously,” Hart said, before some on-brand trolling of McConnell.
“[I’m] a little taller, more handsome, better taste in wine, probably golf better. And T.J. we’re not doing the wine trade during the playoffs. Normally when I go to his city, he’ll give me a bottle of wine and when he comes here I’ll give him a bottle of wine. But no wine trades please.”
McConnell has been a thorn in the Knicks’ side this season, shooting 10-for-13 against them. He had 16 points on 8-for-10 from the floor in Indiana’s Feb. 10 win, and played key minutes off the bench in their Dec. 30 victory. The guard missed their only loss to New York this season.
