Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said he is pleased with the attitude of Tim Hardaway Jr. even as the guard was assigned to the NBA Development League. Hardawary, along with Edy Tavares, will play for the Canton Charge on the assignment, including a game tonight.
“He has been great,” Budenholzer said of Hardaway. “The way that he has attacked and worked – before practice, after practice, the weight room, his conditioning, getting stronger, all those things. I think he is understanding some of the things we are doing defensively. I’m very happy with his approach to everything.”
The Hawks did not need Hardaway’s approval for the D-League assignment as he has less than three NBA seasons of experience.
The Canton Charge, the affiliate of the Cleveland Cavaliers, have upcoming games at the Fort Wayne Mad Ants Friday at 7:30 p.m. and at home against the Iowa Energy at 7 p.m.
Hardaway has appeared in four games for the Hawks this season after being obtained for a first-round pick from the Knicks in this year’s NBA Draft. He has 10 points, four rebounds and two assists in 44 minutes.
Budenholzer emphasized the Hawks’ commitment to using the D-League as a developmental tool, even with an established player such as Hardaway.
“We believe in the D-League, believe in those guys playing, believe in getting game reps, game opportunities,” Budenholzer said of the Hardaway assignment. “Play great. Play not so great. You learn from all those things. I think to play a couple games, he’ll be better prepared when we need him.”
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