Kerr, Brunson talk about ‘winner’ Josh Hart’s role on Team USA

In a group full of alphas, Josh Hart is shining as the glue guy in Team USA.

Their 109-81 win over Greece proved his type of play works on the World Cup stage. Against the towering Hellas frontline, he battled for a game-high 11 boards to go along with six points and five assists, posting a stat line that can be described as very much Josh Hart-like.

To make it more impressive, he did it as part of the second unit while only seeing a little over 20 minutes of action.

“People ask me what position does he play. He plays a winner,” USA head coach Steve Kerr praised during the post-game press conference.

“He really pushes the ball well in transition. Moves. Gets off the ball. That’s when the first domino falls defensively. Josh is usually the first guy to create the advantage. He just has a unique game. And what he does translates to winning.”

What has really defined Hart’s game on this level is his hustle. His gritty old school game is anchored on hard work and toughness, and it hasn't gone unnoticed by the USA coaching staff. Even assistant coach Erik Spoelstra had shared his own insights with Kerr about Hart.

“At one point, Spo turned to me and said some people get 50-50 balls, he gets the 70-30 balls, you know. I thought that was really well said. He just makes these plays with his effort and his physicality and his toughness,” Kerr shared.

Teammate and Team USA captain Jalen Brunson also opened up about Hart's game. The two were teammates in their collegiate days at Villanova and won a national championship together in 2016. They also recently reunited in the NBA with the New York Knicks this past season after the Blazers traded Hart for Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Svi Mykhailiuk, and draft considerations.

“Ever since I’ve known Josh. Since the day we met almost 10 years ago. He’s been the same player, he’s had the same mindset since the day I met him. He’s a hard-working guy. Has the ability to do things on the court as every NBA player does,” Brunson reminisced.

In 25 games with the Knicks this past season, he averaged 10.7 points, 7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 takeaways per contest.

“He takes pride always in the little things on a nightly basis. He brings that toughness and effort. He’s a different man. He goes out there, he’s relentless. He’s been doing that since the day I met him.”

The duo’s pursuit of another gold continues as Team USA advances to the second round of the FIBA World Cup.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News