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New York Knicks: 5 reasons Tim Hardaway Jr. can win Most Improved Player

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 3: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the preseason game on October 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 3: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the preseason game on October 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 30: Jeff Hornacek talks with Frank Ntilikina #11 and Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks during practice at Kicks Training Facility on September 30, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 30: Jeff Hornacek talks with Frank Ntilikina #11 and Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks during practice at Kicks Training Facility on September 30, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Jeff Hornacek’s System

Throughout his tenure with the Phoenix Suns, head coach Jeff Hornacek found ways to elevate his players’ game. He coached Goran Dragic to an All-NBA selection, helped Eric Bledsoe tap into his offensive potential, and extracted the two best seasons of Gerald Green’s career.

Hornacek has a proven ability to help perimeter players dig deep and improve, and Tim Hardaway Jr. is the primary candidate to do so in 2017-18.

With the triangle offense out as the primary method of execution, the Knicks have embraced an up-tempo style. The guards will push the pace, the bigs will run the rim, and the shooters will be trusted to adequately space the floor.

In the half court, the Knicks will utilize on and off-ball screens to get players open, and place a heavy burden on the guards to make the right decisions.

While Ron Baker, Frank Ntilikina, and Ramon Sessions all qualify as playmakers, it’s fair to believe the ball will find Hardaway’s hands on a consistent basis. He’s the best scorer amongst the guards, as well as an underrated passer who can create for others.

With a fast pace, an active offense, and an opportunity for shooters, scorers, and playmakers to prosper, Hardaway should have the most productive year of his NBA career.

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