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From “some dude named Hartenstein” to the heart of the Knicks’ surge.
Nobody has played more minutes on the Knicks since the OG Anunoby trade than Isaiah Hartenstein, who has aptly replaced Mitchell Robinson while leaving every game looking like he went through a meat grinder.
The German-American draws blood regularly these days, showing off the latest scratches on his arm and hand following Saturday night’s blowout triumph over the Wizards.
And while Hartenstein isn’t quite the same height as Robinson or as proficient an offensive rebounder, he does hold a very large and important advantage over the frequently injured starting center.
Hartenstein is crazy durable.
Despite absorbing an inordinate amount of gashes and blows, Hartenstein is riding a consecutive games played streak of 157 — by far the most on the Knicks.
He was one of only 10 NBA players last season to log all 82, a point of pride and probably a prominent bullet point on his résumé for free agency negotiations this summer (yes, his contract is expiring).
But now his role is expanded and a lot more strenuous. When Robinson was around, Hartenstein was playing less than half the game.
But Tom Thibodeau doesn’t have much faith in the other centers on the roster — Jericho Sims and newcomer Precious Achiuwa — which means Hartenstein rarely leaves the floor.
He acknowledged that was an adjustment.
“I think I had a slight little period on the road — I think it was at Orlando, at OKC, that road trip [last week] — where I kinda felt my body kind of going down a little bit,” Hartenstein said. “But I think now my body has gotten used to it. I take care of my body pretty good. So now, it’s just keep getting better in that role, and I think that’s something I can do on a consistent basis. … Now, my body is used to it. I don’t really get tired.”
In Saturday night’s game, for instance, Thibodeau subbed out Hartenstein in the fourth quarter and tried to go small with Julius Randle at center.
It lasted 65 seconds.
The Knicks gave up five points and Thibodeau quickly summoned Hartenstein.
“I just sat down. I put a towel around my shoulders and Thibs was like, ‘Isaiah,’ ” said Hartenstein, who finished with eight points and 19 rebounds, one short of his career high. “So I got back up.”
It’s hard to argue with the results. In the four games since the trade, Hartenstein is averaging a double-double (10.5 points, 13.5 rebounds) while leading the Knicks in steals (2.3) and blocks (3.0).
He’s also increased his play-making role, finding cutters such as Anunoby from the elbow while dishing out 2.8 assists per game since the trade. It has made ESPN analyst and Knicks fan Stephen A Smith look irrational for dismissing the center on air when he said recently, “I got to deal with some dude named Hartenstein.”
“It’s fun,” Hartenstein said about his new responsibilities. “I think it’s definitely a role that I always envisioned myself being in.”
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