CBS Sports writer Brad Botkin ranked his top 25 players in the NBA this season, and Hart came in at No. 21 on the list.

Hart has been durable since joining the Knicks two years ago, only missing one game last season while finishing 11th in the NBA in total minutes. The prognosis for runner’s knee, as NYU Langone physical therapist Charles Homoky told The Post’s Mark W. Sanchez, is positive as it’s a common ailment that “I don’t think is going to derail a season.”

Fortunately for the Knicks, it seems like he's inching closer to making his season debut, as Thibodeau confirmed that he's begun doing some light 5-on-5 work. Then again, even when he does play, he will most likely be eased back into action and will either be on a minutes restriction or be held out of back-to-backs.