Josh Hart's Shocking Transformation: How One Coach Is Changing the Knicks—You Won't Believe the Results!

LAS VEGAS — Just two hours before tip-off, Knicks’ two-way guard Kevin McCullar Jr. was on the court in Toronto, but not for a casual warm-up. With an iPhone in hand, he was analyzing video footage of himself, a method he finds essential to his development as a player. “Getting visual feedback actually shows what you’re talking about,” McCullar, 24, explained to The Athletic. “Sometimes you can hear it and not really understand it all the way. I’m like a visual learner in a way, too. So that helps.”

This commitment to improvement is underscored by the recent hiring of shooting coach Peter Patton by new Knicks head coach Mike Brown. Patton, who has a history playing college basketball at DePaul and has previously worked with teams like the Bulls, Timberwolves, and Mavericks, is not just a luxury but a necessity in today’s NBA landscape, where shooting skills can significantly impact a player’s career trajectory.

Interestingly, dedicated shooting coaches aren't standard across the league. Despite the importance of shooting in modern basketball, many teams operate without a specialized coach to refine this critical skill. During his first conversation with Brown, veteran player Josh Hart emphasized the need for such expertise, leading to Patton's hiring. Hart, who has historically struggled with his three-point shooting, has seen remarkable improvement, shooting at a remarkable 39.8 percent from beyond the arc this season.

This surge in Hart’s shooting has been a game-changer for the Knicks, making his re-entry into the starting lineup an obvious choice. Opponents can no longer afford to leave him open, and he’s taking full advantage of those opportunities. Each time Hart is asked about his shooting progress, he readily attributes it to his daily work with Patton. “I’m working with Pete every day on my shot,” Hart said, noting that his injured hand is improving. “With Pete, I’m able to work on the mechanics every day, even if it’s just a little bit. It’s a feeling, repetition.”

The Knicks find themselves in a unique position. With limited high draft picks in recent years and a challenging financial situation, the team needs its younger players to step up and become reliable contributors. Patton's role extends beyond just fine-tuning Hart's shot; he's also pivotal in developing the shooting abilities of younger talents like McCullar, Tyler Kolek, Pacôme Dadiet, and Mohammad Diawara.

Before each game, early arrivals can spot Patton overseeing the pregame shooting routines of these young players. He’s not just a silent observer; he provides immediate feedback and encouragement, emphasizing the importance of shot consistency. For players like Dadiet, a potential 3-and-D wing, and Diawara, whose athleticism is evident but whose shooting still needs refinement, the presence of a dedicated shooting coach is invaluable. Similarly, Kolek, who is earning rotation minutes under Brown, understands that enhancing his long-range shooting will be critical for his future in the league.

“He brings an intensity about him, a focus,” Kolek remarked about working with Patton. “Every shot matters, and it should matter. That’s what he preaches and emphasizes." Patton encourages players to be intentional with each shot rather than going through mindless repetitions—an approach that can lead to greater improvement in a shorter amount of time.

The question remains: will these young players emerge as effective shooters? While the answer is still uncertain, the Knicks are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for improvement. Patton's impact on Hart alone validates his hiring, as Hart's confidence in his shooting has never been higher. The Knicks perform better when he’s on the court, particularly due to his newfound ability to score from the three-point line.

Hart's current shooting prowess has even led to some light-hearted exchanges with opposing coaches. After a recent game, Hart shared a moment with Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković, who playfully admonished him not to speak to him anymore as Hart continues to capitalize on open looks. “Darko yelled at me today to not say anything to him,” Hart said with a smile, a reflection of his growing confidence on the court.

In the end, whether or not the Knicks' younger players can master their shooting skills remains to be seen. However, with Patton's guidance and a renewed focus on shooting mechanics, the franchise is taking significant steps toward maximizing the potential of both its established and emerging players.