New York Knicks: Tim Hardaway Jr. proving patience can pay off
The progress that Tim Hardaway Jr. has made since his rookie season is undeniable. It’s half past time New York Knicks fans appreciate that.
When the New York Knicks signed Tim Hardaway Jr. to a four-year deal worth roughly $71 million, the response was one of negativity. It was an overpay based on what Hardaway was at the time of his signing, but team president Steve Mills insisted that the move would pay off long-term.
With less than 10 games remaining in the 2017-18 NBA regular season, Hardaway has proven that patience can pay off.
Hardaway, who recently turned 26 years of age, has faced an often unnecessary measure of criticism. Inefficiency has been an issue, but for a player who was forced to miss 22 games due to lower leg injuries in 2017-18, his perseverance should be more of a story.
On Saturday, Mar. 24, Hardaway reminded fans of why it is that the front office believes he can develop into a player who outplays his contract.
Matched up with Andrew Wiggins and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Hardaway had the best scoring performance of his NBA career. He played 36 minutes against the postseason-bound Timberwolves, recording a career-high 39 points on 14-of-25 shooting.
Hardaway also went 6-of-11 from beyond the arc and 5-of-7 from the free throw line in what was yet another brilliant display from the now-healthy 2-guard.
Hardaway is now averaging 17.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.3 three-point field goals made per game. A slash line of .424/.318/.818 offers reason to be underwhelmed, but every one of his season averages are career-highs.
In other words: Despite battling injuries that could have kept him out for the remainder of the season, Hardaway is proving that he is indeed improving.
Since enduring a streak of woeful inefficiency in early February, that improvement has been on full display. Over the course of the past 15 games, Hardaway has averaged 21.9 points and 2.7 three-point field goals made per game on a slash line of .467/.348/.920.
Those are especially impressive figures when one considers that he’s played every one of those games without Kristaps Porzingis collapsing the opposing defense.
During that 15-game span, Hardaway produced two 30-point outings and five performances with at least 25 points. One of the keys to his success has been his willingness to attack more and settle less.
Rather than pulling up for every three-point field goal that comes his way, Hardaway is diversifying his approach as a scorer.
That alone is a sign of progress, as Hardaway’s tendency to settle has been the most infuriating aspect of his game. When he’s willing to attack the teeth of a defense, the rest of the floor opens up and both he and his teammates benefit greatly.
It’s a primary reason why the Knicks have been a better team when Hardaway has been on the floor than when he hasn’t been.
Thus far in 2017-18, the Knicks are 1.6 points per 100 possessions better when Hardaway is on the court than when he isn’t. Real Plus-Minus also displays his value, as he ranks No. 19 amongst small forwards with a mark of 0.62.
If that numbers isn’t quite as high as one would like, don’t forget the necessary context: Hardaway has been playing out of position this entire season.
Despite that truth, Hardaway has five 30-point games in 2017-18 after recording two in his previous four seasons combined. He’s averaging career-highs across the board and has even improved his quality of play on defense.
At the very least, Hardaway has earned the right to suspend the, “Overpaid,” talks and receive support as he prepares for the 2018-19 campaign.
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The question is: Will New York Knicks fans finally admit that Tim Hardaway Jr. has been better than expected?