Josh Hart a little “disoriented” by the defense of Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs

A “surprise” awaited Josh Hart on the very first possession of these NBA Finals. The Knicks guard pulled up the leather to start Game 1 in San Antonio against Julian Champagnie. And not Victor Wembanyama, as many imagined, responsible for taking care of Karl-Anthony Towns to begin with.

« I think about all the questions I’ve been asked over the last three days about Victor going to be on me, obviously we prepared for that. And then, in the first period of play, I bring the ball up and it’s Champagnie who defends me. I was about to call a time out and tell him to change. I was like, ‘Wait, that’s not how it’s supposed to happen.’ », quipped Josh Hart.

This scenario had been imagined a lot because among the New York starters, the former Villanova player is the one that the Spurs can most easily agree to let breathe behind the arc. Despite his 41.3% 3-point shooting in the regular season, on 3.7 attempts per game, his skill dropped in the playoffs, to only 30.3%.

A strategy, which should allow “Wemby” to stay longer in the assist racket, which was ultimately not immediately put into action. We had to wait until the middle of the first quarter, and the return of Keldon Johnson sent on “KAT”, to see the French “switch” and start defensive possessions on Hart.

Harmless behind the arc, but still useful

Before that, Towns and Hart himself had managed to make the difference in penetration, taking advantage of the Frenchman’s exit beyond the 3-point line. The New York guard also tried his luck in transition by going to challenge the best defender in the league: despite his aggressiveness, he will logically be picked up in the circle.

« When you have someone like Victor defending on you, obviously he’s very comfortable around the rim and doing those kinds of things. So you want to do your best to get him out “, remarks Josh Hart who will no longer really venture into the snowshoe afterwards. In 27 minutes, he was content with 3 points (1/5 on shots), without converting the slightest long-range attempt (0/3) despite open positions.

But as the Knicks handyman describes it, his role will rather be to play “handoffs” or to set screens on the carrier, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby. HAS” As long as I set a good screen on the backs, they will have open shots. So there was an emphasis on that, on playing fast and just trying to get him away from the rim, where he’s less comfortable. »

His contribution in this area may not have been visible on a statistical level. Josh Hart nonetheless had a very solid match with his 15 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 interceptions, without forgetting a big defensive involvement.

« He helped us with our rhythm. We want to play fast. Everyone knows it. It’s difficult to score as you advance in the playoffs. We try to get the ball up as quickly as possible to attack a defense that is not in place. Josh has been phenomenal in helping us do this “, qualifies Mike Brown, whose strategy we understand is to do the maximum to avoid the scarecrow opposite.

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = decisive passes; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.