New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, you must be familiar with it. He is a defensive titan with a height of 2.13 meters, an arm span of 2.24 meters, and an astonishing speed of lateral movement. Averaging 6.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game this season, he is the heart of the Knicks' defense.
However, what you may not know is that Mitchell Robinson's backup, Isaiah Hartenstein (hereinafter referred to as Harden), averaged 6.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1 steal and 1.1 blocks per game this season, although the statistics are not very conspicuous, but he is also a very good player, he is the most underrated center in the NBA.
Harden has become an important pillar on the Knicks' bench with his superior defensive ability. Not only is he able to flexibly switch forwards, but he can also effectively cover the entire court and bravely challenge opponents' shots under the basket. He is undoubtedly a formidable presence for players who try to break through or dunk.
In key moments, Harden showed incredible agility, was able to quickly switch to smaller players and use his height advantage to disrupt passing lanes. His high defensive IQ allows the Knicks to handle a variety of offensive tactics with ease. In addition, his communication skills on the field are crucial, bringing cohesion and good chemistry to the team.
Hartenstein's intimidating power on the inside has forced opponents to revisit their shot options, often resulting in hasty shots or intense physical confrontations. His defensive efficiency of 112 is enough to prove that he is a reliable defensive stalwart in the league. What's more, when he's on the court, the Knicks have a whopping plus/minus of +78, further highlighting his significant value.
Harden's outstanding performance injected new vitality into the Knicks' bench. His rotation with Robinson has allowed the Knicks to maintain a sense of pressure and deterrence on the inside. The tacit cooperation between him and his teammates made the Knicks' defense tighter and more fluid. His professionalism and fighting attitude make the Knicks' defense more passionate and resilient.
Prejudice and neglect in the media
However, despite Hatten's performance, he did not receive enough attention and recognition from the media and fans. Throughout his career in the NBA, he has played the role of a backup center. He never became the team's main center and did not receive any individual accolades.
Among the NBA's preeminent centers, Harden's contributions may not be as conspicuous. He doesn't have the offensive skills and playmaking that Jokic and Embiid have. He didn't have the versatility and long-range shooting ability that Downs did. He doesn't have the all-around range and leadership that Draymond Green and Bam Adebayo does.
Harden's strength lies in his defensive dynamism and relentless effort. He used his body and mind to create more opportunities and space for the team. He used his work ethic and focus on the defensive end to build a collective defensive mentality and atmosphere for the team. He used his communication and cooperation to create a tacit and fluent defensive system for the team.
However, these advantages are often overlooked and underestimated by the media and fans. In the public opinion arena of the NBA, offense is always more concerned and appreciated than defense. In NBA statistics, offense is always easier to quantify and evaluate than defense. Among individual accolades in the NBA, offense is always easier to get and recognize than defense.
Another reason why Harden is underrated by the media is because he has been playing the role of backup center throughout his NBA career. While he's played off the bench for top centers like Zubac and Jokic and excelled at filling their gaps on the defensive end, it's an aspect that the NBA media often overlooks when discussing the league's best role players.
Strong chemistry with teammates
The excellent chemistry between Harden and his teammates has become the key to the Knicks' defensive success. He is adept at making up for his teammates' shortcomings and building a team that is tacit and flawless on the field. With the addition of defensive titan O.G. Anunoby, Harden has a capable defensive partner that will make his defensive duties easier.
The team chemistry between Harden and interior partner Mitchell Robinson is particularly remarkable. When Robinson suffered an injury last December, Harden revealed the deep bond between them on MSG live: "I keep in touch with him every day...... He always sent me messages of encouragement after the game. He was a great brother to mine and we miss him very much. But now he's getting better and I'm going to hold on until he returns. ”
summary
To sum up, the addition of Hatten has injected new life into the New York Knicks' defense. His blocking skills, varied defense, rebounding power, and hard-to-quantify contributions have all greatly improved the team's overall performance. His value goes far beyond the numbers. In the absence of Mitchell Robinson due to injury, Harden continues to solidify the team's defensive system and remains an indispensable role player for the Knicks, who desperately need to make a difference on the inside.
Hatten has found his place and role with the Knicks. He showed his quality and value with the Knicks. He proved himself to be one of the most underrated centers in the NBA with the Knicks.
Hartenstein is a key piece of the puzzle for the Knicks and a hidden gem in the NBA.
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