Josh Hart says Knicks plenty motivated: ‘I don’t think anyone is picking us to win again’

The Knicks won the championship. Josh Hart would still prefer everyone to believe nobody respects them.

“I don’t think we have a big target because I don’t think anyone is picking us to win again,” Hart said during ESPN’s U.S. Open coverage, via BasketNews. “We’re using it as fuel. We’re still the hunters. We’re not satisfied with one.”

Whether nobody is picking the Knicks to repeat may be a slight exaggeration. They just rolled through the postseason, sweeping the 76ers and Cavaliers before beating the Spurs in five games in the NBA Finals. So somebody out there probably likes their chances.

Hart’s larger point is easy enough to understand. The Knicks aren’t interested in beginning the season with a four-month championship parade. They know the East became stronger, the Sixers added Jaylen Brown and LeBron James and recent history isn’t especially kind to defending champions.

No NBA team has won consecutive titles since the Warriors in 2017 and 2018. The Knicks will try to become the first, beginning Oct. 20 against James and Philadelphia at Madison Square Garden. Before that game, New York will receive its championship rings.

“I can’t wait to get that ring,” Hart said. “It’s gonna be a fun one. This will be electrifying.”

Then the celebration ends and everyone starts chasing the Knicks, regardless of whether Hart accepts the premise. 

That’s how defending a championship works. You can call yourself the hunter if it helps. The rest of the league will still be aiming directly at you.