New York Knicks: 5 players for Tim Hardaway Jr. to study

1. Michael Jordan

Keep reading before you call for my head.

For all of the talk about the pomp and circumstance, there has never been a more fundamentally sound player than Michael Jordan. His footwork was flawless, his pacing was unprecedented, and his attention to detail was surgical.

Tim Hardaway Jr. may never reach the bar that Jordan continuously raised, but every shooting guard in the NBA has something to learn from His Airness.

Jordan did a better job than any shooting guard in NBA history of balancing his role as the No. 1 scoring option with being a lockdown defender. Pressure was eventually alleviated on both ends of the floor, as it should be, but Jordan seemed to have an endless supply of energy.

That was partially true, but it was also a product of Jordan’s uncanny ability to pace himself through games—something Hardaway Jr. must learn to do.

Hardaway Jr. is going to be tasked with scoring at a relatively high level, primarily as a three-point shooter. His role will be even more prominent on defense, however, as the Knicks need every player to buy in and hold their own.

Between his pacing, his stance, his footwork, and his skill set, no player would be better for Hardaway Jr. to study than Jordan.

It all starts with looking beyond the flash and understanding the substance.

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If New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. utilizes his resources to study these five players, he should continue to develop into the player he’s capable of becoming.