Despite averaging the most minutes in his five-year career, Tim Hardaway Jr. didn’t seem to excel on the court nor live up to the expectations set out for him in 2017. The shooting guard struggled to maintain his consistency over long stretches and failed to liven a New York Knicks offense that was bottled up for the majority of the 29-53 season.
Hardaway will be expected to perform at a higher quality in 2018, but we shouldn’t expect him to. He finished last season shooting 32% from the three-point line and 52% from two. Going into his sixth year, Tim has been referred to as a sharp shooter, but hasn’t made a name from himself in the NBA, despite earning a returning contract to the Knicks that locked him up for four-years, $71 million.
While Tim was a career 35.2# three-point shooter coming to the Knicks, he consistently los confidence and floundered last season. Former head coach, Jeff Hornacek, allowed Hardaway Jr. to attempt over seven three per game, averaging 2.3 off the dribble, shooting an abysmal 28%. There’s no doubt it was an off season for the veteran, but this is unacceptable.
Is there hope for Tim Hardaway Jr. on the Knicks?
With Kristaps Porzingis out for a majority of the 2018 campaign, and rookies in Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson taking the court, Hardaway Jr. will have his hands full. He will be expected to provide a decent chunk of the offense as Knox learns his role and adapts to the speed and power of a professional game.
In other words, it’s redemption time. For a proclaimed shooter to have the issues Hardaway suffered through in 2017, it’s can only mean one thing…It can’t get any worse. He’s a better secondary offensive weapon than primary, which is what Knox will promote and the return of Porzingis will support. Having a young, dynamic player in Knox will open up the floor for Hardaway, which should ultimately provide him with better shots and less defenders to distract him throughout the game.