Hardaway Jr. a pleasant surprise

During a season marred by disappointment the one bright spot for the Knicks this year has been Tim Hardaway Jr.  Hardaway Jr. was the 24th overall selection during the 2013 NBA draft.  He's averaged 9.3ppg while shooting a solid 46% from the field.  Hardaway Jr.'s most impressive asset this season has been his three point shooting.  His 39% from downtown along with an average of 82% from the free throw line has made him a pleasant addition off the bench for Mike Woodson.

With Iman Shumpert's inconsistent play and J.R Smith going through a myriad of issues this season Hardaway Jr. has filled in at the off guard position more often than expected this season.  Not only has Mike Woodson trusted his rookie during key moments this season but he's played well in those situations. 

As Hardaway Jr.'s minutes have increased so has his confidence.  During his last ten games he's averaged 13.6ppg, 2.1apg while shooting 48% from the field.  The NBA has been on notice as well.  Hardaway Jr. was an early selection in the NBA rising stars draft by assistant coach Chris Webber.

No matter how good of a season new players in the NBA are having at some point you can expect to hit the rookie wall.  The Knicks have no real expectations for Hardaway Jr. this season.  He hasn't played a high volume of minutes this season which should keep his legs fresh heading into the last quarter of the season.

At Michigan Tim Hardaway Jr. showed progress each of his three years.  He deferred to Utah Jazz rookie Trey Burke his last two college seasons which shows his unselfishness and dedication to winning.  His work ethic is second to none as he has been one of the last players to leave the Knicks facility after practice.  This rookie appears to get it. It doesn't hurt to have a former NBA all star and one of the best point guards in NBA history as your father either.

With all that said there is still one factor that I can not help salivating over.  Tim Hardaway Sr. stood at 5"10.  During his early years he dominated the NBA despite his modest height with a wicked cross over along with a chiseled upper frame.  Growing up the younger Hardaway could not have expected to a towering 6"6.  Hardaway Jr. may have more to his arsenal than we have had the opportunity to see.  I'm pretty sure Hardaway Jr. wants to be known as an individual but the cross over is in the blood.  Lets see it kid.

It will be interesting to see just how good Tim Hardaway Jr. can become.