(Photograph by Doug Pensinger/Getty Photos)
Isaiah Hartenstein’s debut with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder hit an early snag when the offseason acquisition suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left hand earlier than the season opener in opposition to the Denver Nuggets.
The Thunder promptly introduced their new middle would wish 5 to 6 weeks earlier than a re-evaluation, placing their plans to make the most of him on maintain.
“A couple of dunks by Hartenstein in his pregame warmups. He’s looked really good. Most active I’ve seen him be since he broke his hand,” Clemente Almanza of The Thunder Wire wrote on X.
A few dunks by Hartenstein in his pregame warmups. He’s appeared actually good. Most lively I’ve seen him be since he broke his hand
The Thunder’s funding in Hartenstein with a three-year, $87 million dedication speaks volumes about their imaginative and prescient for the large man.
Whereas the preliminary plan centered round pairing him with Chet Holmgren, Hartenstein’s worth extends far past this frontcourt partnership.
His presence turns into much more essential throughout Holmgren’s prolonged absence brought on by current a hip harm.
What makes Hartenstein notably intriguing is his defensive versatility.
The previous New York Knicks massive man brings extra than simply conventional middle expertise to the court docket. Standing 7-foot, he’s naturally imposing across the rim and dominant on the boards.
But it surely’s his shocking agility that units him aside. Hartenstein possesses an unusual mixture of fast footwork and basketball IQ, permitting him to successfully guard smaller gamers, a uncommon trait for somebody his dimension.
Like Holmgren, Hartenstein’s potential to defend on the perimeter provides one other dimension to the Thunder’s defensive scheme.
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