Tim Hardaway Jr.'s reunion with the New York Knicks isn't just a second go-around in the Big Apple and the rowdy basketball-loving fans at Madison Square Garden, but a mission to achieve what was once out of his hands in his first two years in the league.
“My expectation is for this team to go to the playoffs, and nothing more,” Hardaway Jr. told Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News on Sunday morning after the Knicks' open practice at the Garden. “It starts with practice tomorrow.”
Hardaway's mental space seems to be occupied in the present, not the past of the things that have happened with the Knicks.
“I really could care less. At this point, I could care less,” Hardaway Jr. said. “People need to move on, move forward with that. That's in the past right now. We've got to get ready for the season. If they're still harping on that then their mind is somewhere else. I'm focused on the team, I'm here to win, and I know my teammates and the coaching staff, everybody in that front office has that faith and trust in me that I'm gonna go out there and do whatever I can to help the team win.”
Hardaway was traded to the Atlanta Hawks shortly after the end of his second year with the team, after woefully shooting under 39 percent from the field and a mere 34 percent from deep, starting 30 of his last 70 games with New York.
The Michigan standout struggled in his first year with the Hawks in a limited reserve role, but came to the forefront last season, starting in 30 of his 79 games and becoming a regular fixture in the lineup with a microwave-like scoring ability and improved defense.
Hardway earned praise by head coach Jeff Hornacek, who has seen him put in the work early in this training camp.
“When you see a guy day in and day out, you try not to listen to what anyone else says,” Hornacek said. “You don't want to go in with a preconceived idea about how a player plays. That's why when you get him in practice every day, you start watching the things he does, and I've been really impressed with – he does the right things; he's helping out defensively; he's talking; of course he can shoot the ball; moves without the ball, which helps not only him get open in the offense but it opens up other guys.”
The Knicks will have a lot of obstacles to get through before even considering getting into the playoff race. It will start by addressing the questions at the point guard and center positions, as well as the primary role unicorn Kristaps Porzingis is expected to play coming into the season.
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