The New York Knicks are a different kind of team. By history, quirks, and character… those from the Big Apple breathe in their own way, and those who wear their badge feel it. That is precisely what Josh Hart refers to when asked about one of his teammates, Jordan Clarkson, who at times can seem to be in the background, yet he is quietly contributing his piece every night.
After three consecutive losses that had the defending champions waking up doubts, they have now posted three wins in four games to calm the nerves. In this positive stretch, the 34-year-old veteran guard has stepped forward. He hasn’t been the top scorer—far from it—but he has been crucial off the bench despite limited minutes. Hart thanks him because he knows that, somewhere else, he could shine much more.
«I think it mainly shows his character. He’s someone who, if he were on a different team, could play 20 or 25 minutes every night and average double digits. He could be that microwave off the bench. And he’s here. He was willing to sacrifice and take on a smaller role to be part of something bigger than himself. That shows his character», the forward stresses in remarks gathered by Ian Begley of SNY.tv.
Hart cuts down those who have suggested that his Tampa-born teammate isn’t contributing enough at the start of the season. The reality is that almost no one has lived up to expectations, almost giving the impression that his head is still on the championship ring from June.
Jordan Clarkson, a lifelong talent
There’s a lot of talk about players who no longer fit in the NBA, about profiles that have faded, about specialists (for example in the post) who today would need many more things to play. Well, Clarkson belongs to a breed that has endured and never lost its place: the microwave who can turn a game from the bench.
In his career he has logged up to 831 regular-season games, starting in only 232. That very fact makes him special, because not all players with such talent for this game can accept (and even turn into a positive) being pigeonholed as a bench option. Clarkson did it in its day, he has his ring with the Knicks, and he wants to be pivotal in chasing another one.
