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

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ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 9: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 9, 2017 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Kevin Liles/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Create For Others

New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. may be a shooting guard, but this is becoming a positionless NBA. Point guards and point forwards may still be the primary facilitators, but all five players on the court must be able to hit the open man.

With an incoming rookie leading a cast of players who need to prove themselves at point guard, Hardaway Jr. must alleviate some of the pressure by creating for others.

Frank Ntilikina was a quality facilitator in Europe, and the likes of Ron Baker, Jarrett Jack, Chasson Randle, Xavier Rathan-Mayes, and Ramon Sessions are all willing to distribute. None are proven at the current stage of their respective careers, however, which births a rational concern.

Thankfully, Hardaway Jr. has proven capable of creating for his teammates when that’s what his coach directs him to do—a valuable piece of knowledge.

Hardaway Jr. averaged 2.3 assists per game and 3.0 assists per 36 minutes during the 2016-17 NBA regular season. Those aren’t exceptional marks, but if he can up that number to at least 3.0 assists per game, he’ll be doing a service to his teammates.

In a system that will likely ask multiple playmakers to step up and distribute, Hardaway Jr. has the ability to fill his role—and the experience of playing in a functioning motion offense.

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