New York Knicks: Player power rankings after starting lineup changes
![NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 29: Damyean Dotson #21 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 29, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 29: Damyean Dotson #21 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 29, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/5fe4e92f5bf79485588835f80440f2d6c72539de3bc36268f03df6e51efc1cb7.jpg)
. . Previous: 1st. Tim Hardaway Jr.. 1. team. 27
Slash Line: .418/.371/.882
Week 2 Averages: 21.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.7 APG, 0.3 SPG, 3.0 3PM
Season Averages: 24.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.3 3PM
The top spot in the player power rankings belongs to Tim Hardaway Jr. for the foreseeable future, and maybe the full 2018-19 season for the New York Knicks. It’s as long as Kristaps Porzingis recovers from a torn ACL for the first few months or the entire year.
As the main guy, Hardaway’s slash line trends towards him as a productive three-point shooter on typically 40-to-44 percent shooting. Not the desired efficiency for a main scoring option, but with few others to consume a marquee offensive role, is there an alternative?
All but one of Hardaway’s games have resulted in 20-plus points. including the 25 against Brooklyn. He even flashed playmaking ability at 8 assists to boost the Week 2 line and his general season average.
Putting the ball in the hands of a team’s best player often is a start for this offense. It’s what contributed to the offensive transformation in San Antonio, with DeMar DeRozan—typically not a point guard—in the primary handling role. Week 3 may see more of this for Hardaway to counter the likes of Victor Oladipo and Luka Doncic.
Next. 25 greatest players in franchise history. dark
The next player power rankings will arrive on Tuesday, Nov. 6 after New York’s next four scheduled games.