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New York Knicks: Tim Hardaway Jr. praised by All-Star father

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 22: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks reacts after sinking a big basket late in an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors on November 22, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Knicks won 108-100. Mandatory Copyright Notice (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 22: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks reacts after sinking a big basket late in an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors on November 22, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Knicks won 108-100. Mandatory Copyright Notice (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. has silenced many of his critics in 2017-18. His father, Tim Hardaway Sr., believes he can be an All-Star.

When the New York Knicks signed shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. to a four-year, $71 million contract, most responded with disappointment and criticism. Hardaway was a solid player, but the general consensus was that the Knicks overpaid for his services.

Since starting the season with a four-game stretch that he and Knicks fans would prefer to forget, however, the tide has turned—and his father will be the first to let you know that.

Hardaway opened the season by shooting a mere 13-of-49 from the field. In the 17 games that followed, however, Hardaway firmly established himself as the type of player whom the Knicks can build with,

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Hardaway’s father, five-time NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway Sr., believes that his son has the potential to follow in his footsteps.

"“I see him as potential All-Star,’’ Hardaway Sr. said. “A guy who can be the man for their team or one of the men for their team. You got to have three guys on a team to be successful. They’re missing him right now for that third guy — him, Courtney Lee, Kristaps Porzingis. They’re missing his scoring of course, but his rebounding, length, athleticism. They know that.”"

Whether or not you agree that Hardaway has All-Star potential, there’s no way around the fact that the Knicks have missed his presence.

Hardaway is currently averaging 17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.3 three-point field goals made per game. In the 17 games that followed the previously alluded to four-game rut, those numbers jumped to 19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.5 three-point field goals made per game.

During that 17-game run, Hardaway tallied a slash line of .448/.336/.815—not elite efficiency, but impressive considering he’s only played 21 games with an entirely new team

More important than the basic statistics is the fact that Hardaway has been a driving force behind the Knicks’ early success.

Thus far in 2017-18, the Knicks have net ratings of +2.8 when Hardaway is on the court and -2.4 when he isn’t. furthermore, Hardaway ranks No. 14 amongst small forwards in Real Plus-Minus—an impressive truth considering he’s missed 11 games.

The hope is that Hardaway can return to 100 percent sooner than later, thus providing New York with a needed dose of production and consistency from the wing positions.

Must Read: Is Enes Kanter the best acquisition since Kristaps Porzingis?

With team rankings of No. 1 in three-point field goals made, No. 2 in scoring, No. 3 in assists, and No. 4 in both rebounding and steals, Tim Hardaway Jr. is of great value to the New York Knicks.

The question is: Can he become the All-Star that Tim Hardaway Sr. believes he can be?

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