NEW YORK – Thanks to scoring 17 points in a 106-91 loss Saturday to the Miami Heat, Tim Hardaway Jr. is showing that the scoring apple didn’t fall far the tree.
Hardaway Jr, a rookie shooting guard out Michigan, and son of former Golden State Warrior point guard and NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway, shot three of seven from three-point range in 37 minutes.
While Hardaway Sr was a member of one of the most prolific scoring trios in modern-day NBA history in “Run DMC” along with Hall of Famer Chris Mullins and Mitch Richmond, Hardaway Jr is already showing that he has his father’s scoring touch so soon in making his mark as one of the leagues top rookies.
Currently averaging 9.8 points a game, Hardaway Jr. fits in with the New York Knicks offense, and is beginning to emerge into a big-time shooter.
Scoring in double digits in his last five games—and averaging 18.0 points, Hardaway Jr. set a new career high with 29 points in the Knicks 117-86 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It appears that the former Wolverine standout is starting to find his rhythm and feel more comfortable now in the league, as he is learning his sweet spots on the court; his game appears to taking off.
Hardaway Jr’s knack for scoring can also really provide a boost off the bench to help take some of the scoring load off of Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith.
While Hardaway Jr. is not an elite player yet, he has the skill set to be a quality starter. He is deadly from behind the arc. His jump shot is clean and deadly.
At 21. he is still young, and with in his NBA career barely starting out, Hardaway Jr. needs to keep playing his role in scoring quality points off the bench, and hopefully—thanks to his shooting, will find himself in the Knicks starting five sooner rather than later.