New York Knicks guard Josh Hart stated that he does not believe his team will have a "target" on their backs as they prepare to defend their NBA championship in the upcoming season. Hart suggested that the rest of the league is not expecting the Knicks to win again, positioning them as underdogs rather than the team to beat.
"I don’t think we have a big target," Hart said during an appearance on ESPN's U.S. Open broadcast. "Because I don’t think anyone is picking us to win again."
The Knicks recently ended the franchise's 53-year title drought, but the offseason narrative has largely focused on other teams making significant moves. Their opening night opponent, the Philadelphia 76ers, added LeBron James and traded for Jaylen Brown. The Miami Heat reportedly acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo, while the Knicks have opted to bring back the same core that defeated the Spurs in five games in the NBA Finals. The departure of Mitchell Robinson to Boston is noted as their only significant roster change.
Betting markets currently favor the Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder to win the championship, further indicating a lack of widespread expectation for a repeat performance from New York.
Hart indicated that the team plans to use this perceived lack of external belief as motivation. "We’re using it as fuel," he stated. "We’re still the hunters. We’re not satisfied with one. The next goal is to get another. We’re the hunters and we like playing that game."
Hart, who has become a popular figure among Knicks fans over his four seasons with the team, averaged 12 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists last season. He emphasized the team's collective approach, highlighting the importance of camaraderie and sacrifice.
"For us, it’s about helping each other," Hart explained. "We’re all high-character guys. We realized if everyone is willing to sacrifice, you don’t have egos, you’re not selfish, you’re gonna get far. You’re gonna get where you want to go at the end of the season."