New York Knicks: Player power rankings after starting lineup changes

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 29: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 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)

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.

The next player power rankings will arrive on Tuesday, Nov. 6 after New York’s next four scheduled games.