"He's got a Black dad" - Josh Hart takes funny jibe at Isaiah Hartenstein’s mixed ethnicity after ridiculously athletic offseason video
Newly signed OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein recently displayed his versatility during an offseason scrimmage. Afterward, Hartenstein's former New York Knicks teammate Josh Hart comically reacted to his highlight reel, referencing his mixed ethnicity.
After Hartenstein enjoyed arguably a career year in his second season with New York, OKC rewarded him with a three-year, $87 million contract this summer. Ahead of his Thunder debut, the big man showcased his handles, outside shooting and athleticism around the rim during a pickup basketball game.
The clip of Hartenstein's dynamic play appeared to catch Hart off guard. The former only converted nine 3-pointers across two seasons with the Knicks, including just one last season, doing most of his damage in the paint.
Upon seeing Hartenstein's highlights on X/Twitter Thursday, Hart quipped about his ex-teammate's biracialism.
"Ayoo, what the hell?! I guess y'all can see how he's got a Black dad," Hart said.
Earlier this year, Isaiah Hartenstein joined Hart's "Roommates Show" podcast, where the latter asked him to "explain [his] Blackness" to their listeners.
The big man humorously broke down his racial background, noting that he was part Black.
"You know, it's like light skin? I'm bright skin," Hartenstein said. "I'm above light skin. My dad is Black."
Thus, Hart's latest tweet marked a comical callback to the viral podcast clip.
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Isaiah Hartenstein said Josh Hart started interacting with him differently after discovering he was part Black
During his late March "Roommates Show" appearance, Isaiah Hartenstein also recounted how Josh Hart began interacting with him differently after discovering his mixed ethnicity.
According to Hartenstein, Hart and his other Black friends switched up their "vibe" and started conversing more freely with him. He likened it to comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele's famous comedy sketch about Black people's greetings to one another versus to white people.
"Anytime people find out — y'all know Key and Peele? ... [The] white man handshake is different. When they find out I'm Black, it changes. The whole vibe changes," Hartenstein said. "It goes from 'Hey, Zay, how you doing?' to 'Yo, Zay, what up, man, you good?' I think Hart did the same thing."
Hart concurred, joking that he was in disbelief upon learning about Hartenstein's biracialism.
"Bro, I found out he was Black, I was like, 'Yo, that's crazy!'" Hart said.
Fortunately for Hartenstein, his move to OKC doesn't appear to have hindered his and Hart's friendship.
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