THJ, Point-a-Minute Guard in 2nd NBA SL Game
Yesterday, Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 9 points, 2 rebounds, 3 turnovers, and 1 foul during 09:59 minutes played in his second NBA Summer League game. He shot 50% from the field (making 3 of 6 field goals, 2 of 2 free throws, and 1 of 2 three-point attempts) before a wrist injury forced him out during the first quarter. X-rays were negative and just show a bruised left wrist, so Tim will be fine, although he didn't dress today for the Knicks' third game.
Click on the following link for Hardaway's interview about the injury:
http://www.nba.com/video/games/wizards/2013/07/14/20130714-sl-nyk-was-hardaway-postgame.nba
And here is another link to a clip of the "Hardaway Hammer" dunk, which is one of the featured highlights of the game on the NBA website:
http://www.nba.com/video/games/wizards/2013/07/14/20130714-sl-nyk-was-play2.nba
Also, Washington Wizard Glen Rice Jr. scored 9 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block, 2 turnovers, and 2 fouls. Rice Jr. made 3 of 8 field goals, 2 of 2 free throws, and 1 of 5 three-point attempts. Nevertheless, the Knicks beat the Wizards 82-69.
As mentioned above, Hardaway Jr. didn't play in today's Knicks-Bobcats game in order to rest the wrist, but it sounds like Cody Zeller impressed with 18 points and a +15 efficiency rating.
if he's more successful in the NBA than Trey Burke. So many people have underestimated Timmy. . .
3 turnovers in 10 minutes? Yikes.
Yes, he stepped out of bounds and threw two bad passes.
had knee surgery. not meaning to sound like a vulture but does this mean more minutes potentially for THJ?
Knicks are in ultimate win-now mode. Given their media expectations, team structure and cap situation, they very likely won't have a significant spot in their rotation(especially playoff rotation)for Tim unless he can put up numbers not typical of a rookie drafted in the 20s.
The Knicks are absolutely hamstrung in terms of ability to improve. They can't even tank for the much ballyhooed 2014 draft because the Nuggets own their pick from the Carmelo trade.
Obviously Tim will become a star right away if he has a RotY-type season, but I find his emergence much more likely either after the Knicks bottom out from their current configuration, or on another team.
the Knicks also just signed Metta World Peace, wonder how that'll affect his minutes although they dont "technically" play the same position
If THJ gets his shot to fall consistently, I could see him playing a role similar to Vinnie "Microwave" Johnson's with the Pistons. It would be great to see him come off the bench and be counted on for "instant offense."
I know that I am comparing eras here, but the Microwave will always be the player I think of for that role.