The New York Knicks were ridiculed for giving guard Tim Hardaway Jr. such a massive contract when bringing him back over the summer. Now after a slow start, the Knicks swingman has quickly started to prove his critics wrong by being one of the most consistent players on the team over the last couple of weeks.
According to ESPN’s Ian Begley, Hardaway’s fine play has caught the eye of Knicks legend Bernard King, who believes he has shown the required maturity to handle the pressure of playing in New York on his return to the Big Apple.
“Hardaway is having a breakout year. He’s really playing great basketball,” King said of the shooting guard. “Bringing him back to New York has really energized him. But he has come back as more of mature athlete — someone who can handle the pressure of the moment.”
Hardaway is currently averaging 17.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.2 steals in 34 minutes per game this season, all of which are career-highs. His emergence has been crucial for the Knicks, who are shallow at the wing positions and desperately need someone apart from Kristaps Porzingis to provide consistent offense.
Hardaway has been a major factor in the Knicks’ promising start to the season and the team will need more of the same from him going forward if they aim to remain in playoff contention.
Follow Us
Subscribe