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New York Knicks: Who stepped up against the Orlando Magic on Feb. 22?

By Maxwell Ogden

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 12: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on February 12, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 12: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on February 12, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 22: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic on February 22, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 22: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic on February 22, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Tim Hardaway Jr.

Tim Hardaway Jr. entered the 2018 NBA All-Star Break as one of the most frustrating players in the NBA. In the midst of what was shaping up to be a breakout season, Hardaway hit a wall as poor shot selection and a refusal to drive decimated his production and efficiency.

Against the Orlando Magic, the 25-year-old returned to form with one of his better and more well-rounded performances of the 2017-18 season thus far.

Hardaway concluded the win over Orlando with 21 points, six assists, three rebounds, one block, and a steal in 35 minutes of court time. He shot just 1-of-6 from beyond the arc, but went 9-of-19 from the field and 4-of-4 at the free throw line.

More important than the statistics is the fact that Hardaway was aggressive in the manner in which he attacked the Magic’s questionable defensive interior.

The fact that Hardaway was looking to drive the lane was an improvement over his all but entirely perimeter-based approach in previous weeks. His commitment to creating for his teammates was an even more encouraging development.

If Hardaway maintains this well-rounded approach to the game, then the Knicks will have a star on the rise at the shooting guard position.

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