Hartenstein "hiddenly" Brunson? The basketball philosophy behind the Thunder Championship

Recently, Hartenstein, who played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, made a lot of controversy in an interview with The Rich Eisen Show. When he talked about why he chose to join the Thunder, he mentioned "team basketball" and "ball rights flow", which reminded many people of the New York Knicks he played for before, and some even thought this was a "sarcastic" to the Knicks and the offensive system built around Brunson. So, is this statement an unintentional mistake or is it a point of intention? Let's find out.

Background: From the Knicks to the Thunder, Hartenstein's transformation path

Hartenstein played for the Knicks as an inside player. However, in the Knicks, he is more of a substitute and has a relatively single role positioning. Last year, he chose to join the Thunder, a team that was already at the forefront of the West at the time, opened a new chapter in his career. Thunder general manager Presti spared no effort to recruit him, even flying over a four-hour flight for a meeting, just to show his sincerity to him. In the end, Hartenstein not only became the core rotation player of the Thunder, but also served as the starter in some games, contributing an unignorable force to the team win the 2025 NBA championship.

Remarks Analysis: Is Hartenstein "hidden" the Knicks?

In the interview, Hartenstein mentioned that the Thunder's "team basketball" and "ball rights flow" were the keys to attracting him to join. He said: "The Thunder's game style is more suitable for me. Our style of playing is to share the ball together, rather than relying solely on someone." This sentence was interpreted by some fans as an "instigation" of the Knicks. After all, the Knicks' offensive strategy is centered on Brunson and has a high concentration of ball rights. Although this style of play has certain results, it has also been criticized.

However, is this interpretation too sensitive? Perhaps Hartenstein simply expressed his recognition of the Thunder culture, rather than deliberately criticizing the Knicks. However, regardless of his intentions, this remark did spark heated discussions about the Knicks tactical system.

The Thunder's success code: The charm of team basketball

The Thunder's tactical style can be regarded as the clear stream of today's NBA. They emphasize teamwork, and players tear open their opponent's defenses through smooth passes and running, rather than fighting alone. The data also supports this: in the 2025 season, the Thunder ranked first in the league in assists per game, the team's scores were evenly distributed, and almost every rotation player could contribute on the court. This style of play not only allowed the Thunder to win nearly 70 regular season games, but also helped them finally win the championship trophy.

Knicks' offensive system: Did Brunson take the blame?

In contrast, the Knicks' tactical system seems to be too dependent on Brunson. The star guard is indeed an excellent scorer and playmaker, but when a team's offense relies too much on a certain player, it is inevitable that there will be a lack of change and resilience. Especially in high-intensity confrontation in the playoffs, too single play is often easily targeted by opponents.

However, Brunson's performance cannot be entirely attributed to him personally. The Knicks' conservatism and lack of innovation in tactical design are the main reasons why the team failed to go further. In the future, if the Knicks want to gain a foothold in the highly competitive East, they may need to revisit their offensive strategy.

Outlook: The future of Hartenstein and the Thunder

For Hartenstein, his role positioning in the Thunder has been fully demonstrated. He is not only a rebound and defense guarantee, but also an indispensable part of the Thunder's tactical system. In the future, as the Thunder continues to strengthen the lineup, Hartenstein's potential and value will undoubtedly be further released.

And for the Thunder, the 2025 championship is just the beginning. Under Presti's leadership, the team has established its own championship culture. If they can continue to adhere to the philosophy of team basketball, the next few years may be the prelude to the Thunder Dynasty.

Summary: The deep meaning behind Hartenstein's remarks

Whether Hartenstein really "sarcastic" the Knicks, his remarks provide us with an opportunity to explore the cultural and tactical choices of NBA teams. The Thunder’s success proves the power of team basketball, and the Knicks’ dilemma reminds us that systems that rely too much on star players are often difficult to last. In the future, perhaps more teams will draw experience from the Thunder's success and inject more "team basketball" charm into the league.

Interaction and Discussion

What do you think of Hartenstein's words? Do you think the Knicks need to adjust their tactical system? Is the Thunder’s success worth learning from by other teams? Welcome to leave your opinions in the comment section!