We need him to knock down shots from outside if he's going to start, but I liked him better as a starter than Pope. He's got some Wade to him when he's attacking the rim. LeBron has to like that a bit.
Hart is more dynamic than KCP. He can handle the ball better, he can drive in the half court better, he can run the fast break and leak out to score better, and I’m starting to think he’s a better defender regardless of what the numbers last year said. KCP might be a better spotup 3pt shooter, and he’s definitely better shooting the 3 coming off a screen, but that’s about all KCP is better at, so I’d rather have Hart in that starting lineup
I love Hart. I am utterly disappointed in KCP so far. This is his big chance to play with Lebron and he shows us this horrid effort and 10% FG shooting? He looks like garbage right now and I just don't get it. He should be playing with energy and drive. Instead he looks like Deng out there. Unacceptable and I'm glad that Walton has kept to his word when he said that all opening spots besides Lebron's (and obviously McGee because we don't have another center) are up for grabs. Consistent method from Luke and that's all I ask for. Hart deserves the opening spot until KCP proves him wrong.
The guy is so strong with such good balance going to the rim just for layups that he often decides which side to finish on right at the end or even in the air.
Right now his defensive presence with the starters is exactly what the lineup needs. KCP was giving us nothing on either end. Hart gives us energy and smart play.
Hart's just also a much more physical presence on D. It won't show up in the numbers, but his physicality as guys run around screens makes them use a lot more energy than KCP does as he gets stuck on screens a lot.
Like I said in the GameDay (amidst swearing at Luke, admittedly), we are essentially paying LeBron 47 mil/year...
Josh is much the more valuable player because the things he can do well that KCP can't really do are hugely important.
Hart did that a lot last season against bigger players trying to take him down low... No surprise. Chuck Hayes' style.
We may need to start him. Just from a "fit" perspective, the offense looks much better out there with him inserted into that starting 5, but admittedly, that's a small sample size. It will be interesting to monitor, though.
It’s not as small a sample size if you go back to last season though. We were consistently better when Hart was on the floor with our other top players. His hustle plays, his offensive boards, defense, ability to get to the hoop, he’s so versatile.
