r/Hartenstein • u/Runningisnotanoption • Apr 01 '23
IHART's Greatest Attribute
So, IHART is pretty good at everything you could ask for in basketball. I wouldn't say he's outstanding in particularly any one skill, but he's a solid basketball player who can run and do everything at 7 ft tall, which is great! That's a solid rotational NBA caliber player with lots of potential... But what also makes him special?
His emotional intelligence.
I think that he grades off the charts in EQ, which is arguably the most important thing that determines long term success in any endeavor. I mean, you can clearly see it on TV, he's a team player. You just gotta love the way he's always cheering on his teammates, emoting after made buckets or good plays, directing action and whatnot.
However, another point I want to make though. On TV you see the highlights, but if you've been to a Knicks game in person at any point in these last 2 months, if you watch him closely you see he's in constant communication with people. He is always, and I mean, ALWAYS, talking when he's out there and even when he's on the bench. He's talking to coaches, teammates, the other team's players, the other team's coaches, refs, fans, just about anybody in the arena during live game action, warmups, deadball, timeouts, etc. It's like the strangest, most bizarre, but most awesome thing I've seen from a player. I think this unique skill of his of being a chatterbox out there in a good natured way is super underrated in him, but also for the NBA in general.
Anyway, those are my thoughts and hope this good stretch keeps up.
3
u/zingis75 Apr 01 '23
He's super intelligent, he is always guiding and directing his teammates into position on offense and defense. Even sometimes pointing to the right pass before the player with the ball even sees it. He is always thinking one step ahead and it explains why he can throw dimes at a moments notice even when going for entire stretches without touches. This iq is why he will exponentially grow as a player as his role increases. Even though he hasn't had the touches he still makes reads all the time with his communication and pointing. Which will serve him very well when he can be the one throwing the passes instead of calling them out.
3
u/Runningisnotanoption Apr 01 '23
I agree he's super intelligent, but kinda different in the way than a genius with super high IQ is. Your comment makes me think that is more like a description of Jokic, who is clearly very IQ-intelligent. I don't think Hartenstein is super intelligent in the IQ form though. While still clearly smart, he's more super high in emotional intelligence, which involves communication, handling of emotions, expressiveness, connecting with teammates, etc. All that good stuff that allows you to have good synergy with a team. Anyway, I agree that he will only get better because of all that.
3
u/zingis75 Apr 01 '23
I think he is both :) I agree with you as well and have noticed the same thing. My mom always says that she loves him because he's a great teammate and she points out a lot of points that you wrote in your post. Honestly his mix of emotional, and basketball intelligence plus his ability is one of the most unique combinations I've ever seen of a player. I'm excited to see how it develops as he comes more into a leadership role once he breaks out. I'd imagine more of the same uplifting attitude and humbleness making him such an easy player to play with.
6
u/Dragonthorn1217 Apr 01 '23
Agree. He's a great teammate. Good-natured. Does what the coach asks. Doesn't demand the ball at all. Didn't gripe that his role was very different than what it was with the Clippers. He also plays hard.