On the starting line, Josh Hart was not necessarily the favorite to grab the position of starting winger in Portland, with competition from several young guns including Nassir Little or even Justise Winslow and rookie Shaedon Sharpe.
But, without flinching, the veteran has earned his place in the Blazers’ major five by his ability to influence the fate of a match in multiple ways, without necessarily needing the ball.
“I love Josh Hart”, launches Lillard in the oregonian. “He’s a game-winning player. He plays hard, he plays physical. He does everything that is asked of him. He really has the interests of his teammates at heart. And he communicates well! »
On the flank last season, Lillard had not had the opportunity to play an official match alongside the official replacement of his eternal partner, CJ McCollum. This summer, he got to know this duty player, who hates losing and is not afraid to sacrifice himself for the collective good.
The ideal complement in the major five
“He was really on edge. It was as if we were in the playoffs, while we were playing a little pickup game. He kicked the ball and got angry. I looked at him and said to myself, damn, this guy is a bit on! »
Author of a game with 9 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists in Los Angeles on Sunday night, Hart has once again demonstrated the extent of his palette. And his investment of every moment. He finished one take away from his personal best in rebounds…
After three games, Hart is the team’s second-best rebounder, tied for first in steals and assists, while also having the best shooting percentage. Has 14 points at 56% success; plus 7 rebounds and 4 average assists at the very start of the season, the former Lakers and Pels player is clearly the right choice to accompany scorers Lillard, Simons and even Grant in the Blazers’ starting five.
“Even though it’s just the start of the season, I love being his teammate and playing with him, just because of everything he brings to the team and his attitude. It’s really a pleasure to play alongside him. »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRkFYY7wr6o
| Josh Hart | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2017-18 | ALL | 63 | 23 | 46.9 | 39.6 | 70.2 | 0.7 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 7.9 |
| 2018-19 | ALL | 67 | 26 | 40.7 | 33.6 | 68.8 | 0.5 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 7.8 |
| 2019-20 | NOP | 65 | 27 | 42.3 | 34.2 | 73.9 | 0.9 | 5.6 | 6.5 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 10.1 |
| 2020-21 | NOP | 47 | 29 | 43.9 | 32.6 | 77.5 | 1.1 | 6.9 | 8.0 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 9.2 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 54 | 33 | 50.4 | 34.3 | 75.8 | 1.2 | 6.0 | 7.2 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 14.9 |
| 2021-22 * | NOP | 41 | 34 | 50.5 | 32.3 | 75.3 | 1.3 | 6.5 | 7.8 | 4.1 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 13.4 |
| 2021-22 * | ORP | 13 | 32 | 50.3 | 37.3 | 77.2 | 0.7 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 4.3 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 0.2 | 19.9 |
| 2022-23 | ORP | 2 | 40 | 55.0 | 50.0 | 85.7 | 1.5 | 5.5 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 14.5 |
| Total | 298 | 27 | 45.1 | 34.7 | 74.0 | 0.9 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 9.9 | |
