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Mussatto: Once a Thunder nutmeg victim, Isaiah Hartenstein is perfect fit for OKC
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- Mussatto: Once a Thunder nutmeg victim, Isaiah Hartenstein is perfect fit for OKC
When I think of Isaiah Hartenstein , I think about the nutmeg.
Thunder vs. Rockets . January 9, 2020, in Oklahoma City . It was the Russell Westbrook return game , his first in Oklahoma City since being traded. Chris Paul , the guy Westbrook was traded for, was leading a surprisingly good Thunder team.
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The night went perfectly for Thunder fans. Westbrook was back and the Thunder routed the Rockets on national TV .
The nutmeg was the exclamation point.
With 7:30 left in the fourth quarter, Mike Muscala set a screen on Westbrook, leaving Hartenstein to hedge against Paul in the pick-and-roll.
The Point God did Hartenstein dirty. Paul dribbled between Hartenstein's legs and finished a runner to put the Thunder ahead by 26. Paul, disgusted at his disgusting move, waved his arms like a boxing referee. He was calling off the fight. The Rockets were cooked. Hartenstein's ego was badly bruised.
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Seems like a long time ago, huh?
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Monday morning brought reports that Hartenstein and the Thunder agreed to a three-year, $87 million deal . It was the biggest free agent signing in the Thunder's 16-year history .
Those of us who still associate Hartenstein with the nutmeg have too long of memories. He was 21. A second-year pro playing in his 43rd career game. A relative nobody.
The Hartenstein the Thunder signed? As a Knick, he was one of the best role players in the NBA. He might be the best backup center in the league.
Hartenstein will play behind Thunder starting center Chet Holmgren , but we could also see Hartenstein play alongside Holmgren.
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Hartenstein is not a floor-spacing center. He happens to do everything else.
He's a plus-plus passer for his position. A physical screen-setter. Elite rebounder. Excellent paint defender. Possessor of a patented push shot.
Listed at 7-feet and 250 pounds, Hartenstein has the size the Thunder lacked.
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Last season, playing a career-high 25.3 minutes per game with the Knicks, Isaiah Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks.
In Hartenstein and Alex Caruso , the Thunder added a pair of high-end role players to an already-potent 57-win team. Sam Presti and his front office aced the offseason. A case for the Thunder to win the West next season could've been made even before the Caruso and Hartenstein moves. That case has only been bolstered now.
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That Hartenstein chose to sign in Oklahoma City, as a backup, no less, was one of those believe-it-when-I-see-it ideas. There wasn't a precedent for free agents choosing the Thunder. Not until Hartenstein chose the Thunder.
Hartenstein's counting stats undersell his winning style of play.
Last season, playing a career-high 25.3 minutes per game, Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks. He shot 64%, albeit on just 4.9 attempts per game. Like Caruso, Hartenstein is a low-usage player who figures to complement the Thunder's star trio.
The Thunder ranked 28th in rebounding percentage last season, ahead of only the Hornets and Wizards . The Knicks , with Hartenstein playing a key role, ranked No. 1.
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Hartenstein ranked second among all players in offensive rebound percentage and 13th in total rebound percentage last season. One of Hartenstein's biggest strengths could help shore up one of the Thunder's biggest weaknesses.
Of course Presti and Co. flew to Eugene, Oregon, Hartenstein's hometown, to court the big fella.
Hartenstein is a perfect fit.
Far removed from the guy who got nutmegged by Chris Paul once upon a time.
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Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com . Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com .
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Isaiah Hartenstein is perfect fit for Thunder in NBA free agency
