New York Knicks guard Josh Hart has addressed team owner James Dolan's public mandate requiring a championship series appearance this season, with the team now one victory away from the NBA Finals.
New York holds a 3-0 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals heading into Game 4 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, following 10 consecutive postseason victories.
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Hart on Dolan's Expectations
Dolan stated on WFAN Radio in January that reaching the NBA Finals was an absolute necessity for the franchise.
Hart shared the locker room's initial reaction to the high expectations. "Better get to the Finals or we're going to get traded," Hart said.
The guard explained that the public declaration did not create negative pressure because the roster already shared that objective.
"Because that's the goal that we all have. Obviously, it hits a little bit different when the big dog says it," Hart said.
Hart noted the comments served as an internal motivator. "That's the goal that we all kind of have...
so it just kind of adds a little bit fuel to the internal fire and hunger to it," he added.
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Dolan detailed his expectations in January: "I'd say we want to get to the Finals and we should win the Finals.
Getting to the Finals, we absolutely have to do. Winning the Finals, we should do."
The franchise has not reached the NBA Finals since 1999 and has not won a championship since 1973.
The Knicks swept the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round, with Jalen Brunson scoring 35 points in Game 1.
Brunson is averaging 29 points per game in the Eastern Conference Finals, while Karl-Anthony Towns provides strong two-way production.
A victory on Monday would secure the conference title and provide a week of rest before the NBA Finals begin on June 3.
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The Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs is tied at two games each.
