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New York Knicks: 5 realistic goals for Tim Hardaway Jr. in 2017-18

By Maxwell Ogden

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 9: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 9, 2017 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 9: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 9, 2017 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 22: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots over Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards during the first quarter in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 22: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots over Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards during the first quarter in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

5. Stabilize His 3-Point Shot

Tim Hardaway Jr. has always been one of the better shooters in the NBA. He’s converted upwards of 120 three-point field goals in three of his four NBA seasons, and flirted with 150 three-point field goals made in 2016-17.

True as that may be, the production that Hardaway Jr. provides needs context—context that supplies an adjective to describe his shooting touch: Streaky.

Hardaway Jr. converted a career-high 149 three-point field goals in 2017-18, but did so on 35.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc. That’s not a bad mark by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s somewhat low for a player with the potential to be a marksman.

He admittedly created more off the bounce than the average three-point shooter, but his efficiency should improve as he realizes his potential.

Jeff Hornacek hasn’t yet revealed his full plans for the offense, but it stands to reason that the three-ball will be featured. The New York Knicks ranked No. 24 in three-point field goals made and No. 21 in three-point field goal percentage in 2016-17—numbers that must improve.

A small-ball lineup of Frank Ntilikina, Courtney Lee, Hardaway Jr., Carmelo Anthony, and Kristaps Porzingis has the potential to be brutal to defend, but only if they embrace the three-ball.

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