New York Knicks: Is Tim Hardaway Jr. the Long-Term SG?

Throughout the 2013-14 NBA regular season, one of the most common theories amongst New York Knicks fans was that Tim Hardaway Jr. was the future at shooting guard. He battled for playing time with J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, but when he did take the floor, Hardaway Jr. was impressive.

As the Knicks prepare for a big offseason in 2015, one question must be answered in the final three months of the regular season: is Hardaway Jr. still the long-term answer at the 2?

Phil Jackson cleared the way for such a progression to transpire when he traded Shumpert and Smith to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite the availability of playing time, Hardaway Jr. has failed to consistently capitalize.

Hardaway’s past six games are evidence enough as to why there’s so much confusion, per ESPN.

One day he’s hot, the next day he’s ice cold. One day he’s responsible, the next day he’s forcing shots. It’s a growing and discerning trend.

Thus, one must question whether or not this is a slump or Hardaway Jr.’s standard of play.

Jan 28, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) controls the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder small forward

(3) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Thunder 100-92. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Regression

In 2013-14, Tim Hardaway Jr. averaged 10.2 points in 23.1 minutes on a slash line of .428/.363/.828. That includes a slash line of .451/.385/.800 before the 2014 All-Star Break.

Thus, New York Knicks fans found a young player to get behind. Whether by virtue of an otherwise old and less-than-promising roster or genuine ability, Hardaway Jr. endeared himself to fans during the first half of 2013-14.

Since then, it’s all been downhill.

After the 2014 All-Star Break, Hardaway Jr.’s slash line plummeted to .4oo/.337/.857. In 2014-15, he’s essentially mirroring his inefficiency by shooting 39.3 percent from the field and 33.9 percent from beyond the arc.

It’s been a balanced decline.

According to NBA.com, Hardaway converted 37.0 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3-point field goals in 2013-14. That number has dropped to 33.7 percent in 2014-15.

The question is, is Hardaway Jr. experiencing the proverbial sophomore slump? Or has he legitimately hit a wall?

Defensively, all signs point to the latter.

Jan 8, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) chases a loose ball during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden. Houston Rockets won 120-96. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Liability

Whether or not Tim Hardaway Jr. has star potential, his offensive strengths permit a valuable style of play. More times than not, his contributions fall under the omnipresent, “3-and-D,” tag.

Unfortunately, the 22-year-old hasn’t yet embraced playing defense.

According to NBA.com, opponents are converting 5.4 percent better than their average field goal percentage when defended by Hardaway Jr.

He’s respectable against slashers, but atrocious against jump shooters. Opponents are shooting 8.5 percent better on 3-point field goals and 7.8 percent higher on shots from greater than 15 feet away when Hardaway Jr. is defending them, per NBA.com.

That adds up to a player being a defensive liability.

This is actually a complete 180 from 2013-14, when Hardaway Jr. was solid against jump shooters but struggled with slashers. In both instances, there hasn’t been much of a security blanket to bail him out when he blows an assignment.

Once the Knicks’ defense improves, Hardaway Jr.’s individual play could follow suit.

Or it couldn’t. At this point, all the Knicks have to go off of is his current level of poor individual defense.

Jan 28, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard

(2) celebrates a three-point basket in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Other Options

As the New York Knicks gear up for a massive 2015 offseason, the attention has turned to the stars.  The average Knicks fan is focused on the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol and even top pick front-runner Jahlil Okafor of the Duke Blue Devils.

The class of shooting guards is thin in both free agency and the NBA Draft, but the players who are available possess immense value.

At shooting guard, noteworthy pending unrestricted free agents include the reigning Most Improved Player Goran Dragic and the sharpshooting Wesley Matthews. Dragic can also play point guard, which may be his most natural position, while Matthews is an excellent perimeter defender.

Another option at the 2 is Dragic’s teammate: the explosive Gerald Green. He’d not only help space the floor, but would bolster the Knicks’ transition attack.

Oct 16, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Gerald Green (14) and guard Goran Dragic (1) talk on the court during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at US Airways Center. The Suns won 121-90. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Affordable options for depth and shooting prowess include Marco Belinelli, Danny Green, Anthony Morrow, Kyle Singler and Marcus Thornton.

Restricted free agents worth targeting consist of Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls, Reggie Jackson of the Oklahoma City Thunder and K.J. McDaniels of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Every one of those players has, to some extent, outplayed Tim Hardaway Jr.

Then there’s the 2015 NBA Draft.

Amongst players who project to be available for the Knicks’ first-round draft pick, Ohio State Buckeyes star D’Angelo Russell compares favorably to Houston Rockets MVP candidate James Harden. Whether or not he reaches that potential, he’s a crafty southpaw who comfortably creates for himself and others.

Russell’s combination of upside and established translatable skills is tough to find.

The fast-rising Devin Booker of the Kentucky Wildcats is another potential first-round option, while the likes of Marc Garcia of Spain and Michael Qualls of the Arkansas Razorbacks highlight the potential options should Phil Jackson maneuver his way into acquiring a second-round pick.

The bottom line: there’s too much available talent at shooting guard to not ask this question: is Hardaway Jr. the answer at the 2?

As it presently stands, it’s not looking promising.