New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. was signed to a four-year deal worth roughly $71 million. What are realistic goals for his first season back in New York?
The New York Knicks made a number of surprising decisions during the 2017 offseason. It started with the selection of Frank Ntilikina at the NBA Draft, continued with decision to part ways with Phil Jackson mere days before free agency, and culminated with the signing of Tim Hardaway Jr.
Although some are still uncomfortable with the contract that New York handed to Hardaway Jr., there’s a growing sense of optimism pertaining to what he can do.
Hardaway Jr. is coming off of a career-year with the Atlanta Hawks. Playing for a team that comfortably made the playoffs, Hardaway Jr. set career-highs in points (14.5), rebounds (2.8), assists (2.3), steals (0.7), and three-point field goals made (1.9) per game.
Hardaway Jr. also improved his efficiency to a career-best mark of 45.5 percent shooting from the field, and translated his career-best scoring average to 19.1 points per 36 minutes.
As the Knicks prepare for a season that’s leaving most unsure of what to expect, eyes are beginning to turn to Hardaway Jr. He signed a four-year contract worth $71 million, which is close enough to the price range of an All-Star.
New York Knicks fans would be thrilled to see Tim Hardaway Jr. make the All-Star Game, but before he can get there, finishing touches will be needed.
The question is: What are realistic goals for the 25-year-old in 2017-18?
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.
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.
3. Consistency On The Drive
Tim Hardaway Jr. has a streaky jump shot, but it’s strong enough for him to consistently put points on the board. In order to evolve from a quality shooter into a high-caliber all-around scorer, however, he must convert with efficiency on the drive.
Hardaway Jr. has made some measure of progress when attacking the rim, but he’ll need to become significantly more efficient as the only potential slasher on the roster.
Thankfully, Hardaway Jr. has committed himself and his resources to improving his effectiveness on the drive. While Hoodie Melo may be stealing headlines, Hardaway Jr. has taken to the practice court with another legend: Dwyane Wade.
Wade is not only one of Hardaway Jr.’s friends and supporters, but one of the greatest slashers in NBA history—fair qualifications for mentor status.
It’d be irrational to believe Hardaway Jr. will come back as the type of slasher that Wade has proven to be, but this is a good start. If he displays a stronger sense of confidence on the drive, that alone should pose more of a threat to the defense.
Carmelo Anthony, Courtney Lee, and Frank Ntilikina aren’t exactly known for their proficiency as slashers, which places a somewhat heavy burden on Hardaway Jr.
2. Become A Plus Defender
Tim Hardaway Jr. will be the first person to tell you that he’s an underwhelming defender. He struggled mightily on defense during his first run with the New York Knicks and was demoted to the D-League in 2015-16—due in large part to his defensive inconsistency.
Hardaway Jr. made progress on defense during the 2016-17 season, but in 2017-18, the Knicks will need him to become a genuine plus defender.
Hardaway Jr. ranked No. 57 amongst shooting guards in Defensive Real Plus-Minus during the 2016-17 NBA regular season. Moreover, he struggled to keep slashers in front of him and was rather inconsistent in the way he contested shooters.
Hardaway Jr. was better in 2016-17 than in previous seasons, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still significant room for improvement.
Standing at 6’6″ and 205 pounds with a 6’7″ wingspan and above-average athleticism, Hardaway Jr. has the physical measurements to become one of the better defenders at his position. His success on defense comes down to one word: Commitment.
If Hardaway Jr. buys in on defense, the Knicks should improve as a team and his individual accolades should begin to arrive.
1. Win Most Improved Player
This is an ambitious goal, but it’s one that embodies everything it is that Tim Hardaway Jr. should be aiming for. Hardware is hardly the most rational end goal for a team-oriented player like Hardaway Jr., but it’s one that serves as the culmination of the goals laid out for him.
If Hardaway Jr. is setting individual goals for himself, then the Most Improved Player award would be the honor he receives for his progress.
Hardaway Jr. projects to be a featured scoring option, a secondary facilitator, and one of the most important defenders on the roster. If he’s able to both produce and defend in the manner expected of him, he’ll be in the running for this award.
If the New York Knicks manage to overachieve and make it to the NBA Playoffs, then Hardaway Jr.’s case would improve by a significant measure.
Hardaway Jr. is coming off of a season during which he averaged 14.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.9 three-point field goals made in 27.3 minutes per game. It stands to reason that every one of those averages will increase, especially with a a rise in playing time.
The Knicks have star-caliber firepower in the form of Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, but Hardaway Jr. is being paid to be a high-level No. 3.
Must Read: 5 realistic goals for Frank Ntilikina in 2017-18
The question is: Will Tim Hardaway Jr. put in the necessary work to earn Most Improved Player and, more importantly, justify the contract handed to him by the New York Knicks?