The New York Knicks are beginning to see positive progress in the evolution of Tim Hardaway Jr. becoming a better overall player and team leader.
The New York Knicks season so far has seen plenty of losses and few wins. As the team continues to experiment with the different lineup combinations for their future roster, the only consistent piece to the puzzle has been the emerging star power of Tim Hardaway Jr.
Hardaway was considered one of the biggest shocks of the 2017 offseason when he signed a four-year, $71 million contract to return to New York. Last season saw moments of greatness and plenty of mistakes for the former Michigan Wolverine as he constantly flexed between playing shooting guard and small forward.
The devastating injury to All-Star Kristaps Porzingis opened up offensive opportunities for Hardaway as the Knicks’ new primary scorer. Over the past few games, he has solidified that role by showing the consistency needed to be relied upon as the leader.
He is now in his sixth NBA season averaging a career-high 24.2 points per game to lead the team in scoring. He’s also shooting 37.9 percent from 3-point range on a whopping 8.5 attempts per game. This early step up in production can be traced back to his youth as the son of former Miami Heat All-Star Tim Hardaway.
Knicks head coach David Fizdale was on Pat Riley‘s video coaching staff back in the late 1990s, where he first met a young Tim Hardaway Jr., as he told the New York Post heading into this season:
"“He’s respected around the league. He does bring that type of vibe and character around the team that makes you want to go out there and compete each and every day for him. That’s what we love about him.”“I’ve known him since I was a kid,’’ Hardaway said. “When he was with the Miami Heat, my dad played there. Just the culture he’s going to bring to the team and his charisma and passion for the game, it’s going to rub off on us very well. We’re excited.’’"
Through the legs! pic.twitter.com/TNUpUndyCK
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 10, 2018
After a recent victory on the road against the Atlanta Hawks, Fizdale praised Hardaway, telling Newsday about his growth as a team leader.
"“I think no one expected it,” Fizdale said. “I think people kind of capped him off as who he was, and I don’t believe in that. I really challenged him to step up for this team and be a good teammate, a good leader. A guy who competes on the defensive end and when he needs to, will it to victory and when it’s there, help his teammates get open shots. And he’s really trying to do that. I’m really proud of the way he’s approaching it.”"
The Knicks will continue to lose more games throughout the season, but must continue to develop the young talent around them. Tim Hardaway Jr. will continue to be the team’s primary scoring option until Porzingis is back healthy.
The Knicks are finally trusting a process of their own as the fanbase has bought into the franchise’s patience and long-term plan.