New York Knicks: 3 New Year’s resolutions for the team in 2019

2. Tim Hardaway Jr. earns an All-Star spot

When Kristaps Porzingis went out with an injury last February, someone had to step up and take control of the team. Even though we’d have to wait until the start of the 2018-19 season to find out who it would be, Tim Hardaway Jr. has had a terrific season thus far.

Hardaway started off the season blazing hot and has kept this form up until recently while being the undisputed leader and best player on the team.

Though he’s taken a step back when compared to his October and November outings (especially with his efficiency), he’s still the fifth-highest scoring guard in the Eastern Conference at 20.8 points per game, jumping up to second if you rank him among just shooting guards.

THJ is having a career year while proving that he is worth that hefty contract of his. Will he maintain those numbers once the team’s big stars come to play? The only thing we can say with certainty is that the Knicks are going to competing for the playoffs if he does so.

In the meantime, although he is not a favorite to make the 2019 All-Star Game, Hardaway’s presence in that conversation should not come as a total surprise. He has taken over, providing the team with some much-needed scoring as Porzingis continues his recovery.