The Time Is Now For Tim Hardaway Jr
Dec 14, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) shoots over Toronto Raptors forward Terrence Ross (31) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Tim Hardaway Jr. is poised to strike
Amidst the Knicks’ historically nightmarish start to the season, the usage of Tim Hardaway Jr. has been head scratching. As expected he started the season coming off the bench but unexpectedly only averaged 18.6 minutes per game during 16 November games and a combined 23 minutes in two October games. The fact that Hardaway isn’t playing much should be surprising to everyone. Normally a 22 year-old second year player’s minutes are not much of a topic of conversation but in Hardaway’s case most people had loftier expectations.
Hardaway, selected to the All-Rookie First Team, showed great promise during his rookie year as an offensive talent including setting a career high of 29 points and 6 three-pointers. He also scored 36 points in the Rising Stars game as part of an epic duel with Dion Waiters. Obviously, All-Star Weekend performances should be taken with a grain of salt but there is no denying that THJ proved he could score during the 2013-2014 season. Deemed a big part of the Knicks’ future, the evolution of Hardaway’s game specifically on defense and shot selection was expected in Year 2. A strong showing in the Summer League and commitment to defense and leadership left many fans feeling very optimistic coming into the season. However, the results have not been up to snuff.
The inconsistent minutes of Hardaway are largely the result of Derek Fisher mixing up the starting lineup and rotation due to a desire to execute the Triangle Offense more effectively, shake the team’s losing ways, and work around the growing list of injured Knicks. For context, December 18th saw the Knicks play their 28th game of the season and use their 14th different starting lineup. Hardaway is currently shooting .397% from the field and .333% from beyond the arc, both marks reflecting a decline from the .428% from the field and .363% from the arc he posted last season. Hardaway faced inconsistent minutes as a rookie as well but his usage this year has been even more erratic, thus justifying his inefficiency. Hardaway still has a big opportunity as this point in the season to make an impact and improve on his promising rookie campaign.
Hardaway still has a big opportunity as this point in the season to make an impact and improve on his promising rookie campaign.
Starting shooting guard Iman Shumpert is currently out at least three weeks after suffering a broken collarbone on Friday December 12th in a rare victory over the Celtics. Additionally, key reserve and sometimes starter J.R. Smith has not played in a game since December 9th due to a small partial tear of his left plantar fascia (heel). Hardaway is experiencing a substantial minutes increase solely because he is the only true shooting guard still healthy. Earlier in the season when all guards were healthy Hardaway was often the odd man out. The Pablo Prigioni– Jose Calderon dual point guard high basketball IQ lineup was being featured routinely in late game situations while Shane Larkin was also playing substantial minutes. At the shooting guard position, Shumpert was locked in as the defensive stopper of the team and Smith was being relied on for offensive firepower. However, now Hardaway is being thrust back into action and has an excellent opportunity to make a case for staying in the rotation permanently. With Carmelo Anthony also not 100% and Amar’e Stoudemire in need of recovery days throughout the season, THJ will be relied on as one of the top offensive options for the depleted Knicks.
Hardaway has started the last four games averaging 17.75 points, 4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and a perfect 20 for 20 from the charity stripe over a 36 minutes per game average. However he has only shot 32% from the field including 24% from deep. On December 18th, Hardaway tied a season high with 23 points including 5 three pointers in a season high 40 minutes of action against the Bulls. His defensive ability was lacking however because rising star Jimmy Butler scored a career high 35 points while being primarily guarded by Hardaway. Additionally, on December 20th Eric Bledsoe of the Phoenix Suns scored 25 points including 12 in the 4th quarter to seal the victory. THJ is far from the only player in the league (or on the Knicks) that is not very adept on defense. Luckily, the young player still has time and room to hone his skills.
As 1 of only 4 current Knicks still under contract for next season the Knicks should make it a priority to make THJ a permanent member of the rotation in order to determine if he is the shooting guard of the future that many fans think he is. This is especially important with Shumpert in a contract year and J.R. Smith almost certainly on his way out of town after the season, if not sooner.