The biggest free agent acquisition in Oklahoma City Thunder history, Isaiah Hartenstein, spoke to the media for the first time as a member of the team Saturday afternoon.
The press conference was less than an hour in total, between Sam Presti and Hartenstein, so there wasn’t a ton to take away, but I will hit the quick points here by picking out a few of the quotes that stood out.
Presti on going out and landing Hartenstein
“Anytime we have an opportunity to improve the team, certainly with someone who we feel fits the organization and the way we play as well its a great opportunity. I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Mr.Bennett in these types of situations is tremendous, our ownership group is just awesome, we’ve been so blessed over the time that we’ve been here.”
Presti on his pitch to Hartenstein
“Isaiah was coming from a great situation. I think the worst thing you can do is walk in to a situation and try to diminish the current place that the player has played in. I think showing a lot of respect for that, respecting how hard a decision like that can be for a player, especially when they’ve had success, personal and collective, you can only put your best foot forward. I think it’s less about thinking about the past with another team and more about trying to paint a picture of the future with your team. Part of that for us was him being 26, our belief that we can continue his development, and put him in situations where he can continue to expand his strengths. Fortunately for us, I think he was able to see some of the things we were talking about, and we’re excited that he’s chosen to come with us.”
Hartenstein on talking to Mark Daigneault and his role with the team
“It was great. I think one of the questions that helped a lot was I asked him ‘What do you think it takes to take the next step to win a championship?’ and his biggest thing was the process, not skipping steps. That’s kind of how I approach every day of my life, so him having that same mindset with the team was very intriguing to me. A lot of people will try to tell you a story, or ‘Oh we can do this to win a championship,’ but him coming and saying we have to take it step-by-step was great, and then role, I’m just here to do whatever the team needs to win. I’ve been in a lot of situations, I know how to adapt, but again, the way they play here is really exciting for me, I feel like I can expand my game a lot, especially offensively.
Hartenstein on choosing to leave the New York Knicks
“I love my teammates out in New York, I really appreciate what Thibs and Leon did for me. The fans in New York showed a lot of love. But going into this situation, always, from afar, I always saw how the culture was, especially since they’ve been in OKC. They established a culture, the style of play really fits me. They have a lot of guys who cut, to me, I’m one of the best passers in the NBA. And then just the culture. Very family-based, and so there was just something that was very exciting for me. I feel like I can really expand my game here. Defensively I think I can bring a lot to the team, they were really good lasy year, but bringing in Caruso and myself in, I think we hope to take another step in that.
Hartenstein on shooting threes
“That’s definitely something (He wants to add to game). I think if you’re an NBA player, you have to adapt to certain roles, and that’s what I had to do in New York, my passing was the only thing that came out probably. That’s something I felt like could really expand my game on the floor, just getting back to that shooting aspect, before I was shooting it, so just getting back to that even more.”
Hartenstein on playing with Chet Holmgren
“High-IQ player. I think he’s very skilled and I think we could play really good together. Defensively, having two of the top rim protectors on the court at the same time it’s not easy. I’m really excited, that’s one thing I’m really excited to see how it goes, he’s really talented. I think with my IQ, I’ll have to do a little but more of the dirty work so he can chill a little bit. It’s really exciting for me. He’s one of the most talented bigs in the NBA. Me and him on the court together, I think it’s going to be very deadly.”
