Josh Hart was Knicks starter who could best handle demotion to bench

INDIANAPOLIS — Forget about the X’s and O’s. Yes, those are always important and relevant to lineup configurations. But what often gets overlooked is the human element of basketball.

There are egos involved with these players. Money is on the line. Confidence is shaken easily in some, unbreakable in others. Alliances are forged in locker rooms.

And when you look down the list of regular Knicks starters, there’s really only one candidate who could handle a demotion to the bench without it either developing into a grudge or a confidence breaker: Josh Hart.

“I’ve been the 15th man, I’ve been the third man, I’ve been the sixth man, I’ve been whatever,” Hart said Sunday morning. “I truly feel like I’m a starter in the league. I think I played amazing this year.