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New York Knicks: Tim Hardaway Jr. needs to move past recent struggles

By Ed Easton Jr.

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 31: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 31: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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The recent woes of New York Knicks starter Tim Hardaway Jr. are well documented from his last few games, especially when the team needs him most.

The last few games have not been kind to New York Knicks swingman Tim Hardaway Jr. as he continues to face several problems heading into the All-Star break. The season-ending ACL injury to teammate Kristaps Porzingis has the Knicks scrambling for answers in regards to the rest of this year and beyond, with Hardaway Jr. nowhere to be found in the discussions.

The former Michigan Wolverine hasn’t found the efficient groove he was on since missing weeks due to a stress reaction in his lower left leg. He had a brief scare during Tuesday night’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, causing him to exit the game early in the fourth quarter. X-rays were negative, but only a full MRI exam/bone scan can detail if it is indeed related to the original injury.

The Knicks will look to be very cautious moving forward with his progress in order to not cause extended problems this season. The Knicks are already without reserve defensive specialist Ron Baker, who was lost for the season after undergoing arthroscopic shoulder stabilization surgery earlier in the week. If Hardaway Jr. were to miss time, he’ll be left with some horrific play, costly mistakes and an embarrassing highlight reel dunk to think about on the bench.

Prior to Tuesday’s game against the Bucks, THJ put up poor shooting performances of 1-for-10, 1-for-14 and 3-for-9 in his last three games. This past Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks saw the 25-year-old make two very costly errors to go along with his bad shooting.

The mismanagement of the shot clock forcing a rushed shot while up four points with under a minute to ago, allowing Atlanta to get the ball back with plenty of time to score. This was followed by accidentally stepping on the sideline out of bounds, turning the ball over late to seal a shocking Hawks win.

During a interview with reporters, Hardaway Jr. explained his mindset during clutch time that led to the poor execution.

"“I felt like it was a little bit of contact in there, so first instinct as a scorer, a shooter, [is] put the ball up. But I have to be smarter than that. I have to be a lot smarter than that as a ballplayer. With that being said, we went down the court, we had an opportunity to get a stop. We got that stop. We didn’t get the rebound . . . I know I made a bonehead play, but at the same time, we had an opportunity as a team. It’s just a team loss.”"

The tough times didn’t end their as Bucks All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered one of the more exciting dunks in years at Hardaway Jr.’s expense. The towering alley-oop ended with Antetokounmpo jumping completely over the 6’6″ Hardaway with relative ease.

He addressed the media after the game explaining the infamous slam that will surely make for an iconic poster.

"“I didn’t see him. All I saw was [Eric] Bledsoe. And all I heard was footsteps. Everybody saw what happened. It was impressive. That’s not the first person he [dunked] over. I’m pretty sure I’m not the first, and I’m definitely not going to be the last, so it is what it is. I’m worried about our team and the other opponent.”"

The Knicks are limping badly into the trade deadline and All-Star break minus their best player Porzingis and possibly more after the trades are done Thursday. Hardaway is pretty safe to stay in New York after signing that $71 million deal over the summer, but his production will need to increase.

Next: 2017-18 Week 17 NBA Power Rankings

It’s pretty safe to say regardless of what happens with the team moving forward, Tim Hardaway Jr. needs games under his belt to heal and redeem confidence. The lottery talk has officially begun again in New York so a return to form would be a welcome sight for Knicks fans in a lost season.

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