Derek Fisher was the second of the three coaches Tim Hardaway Jr. has had in his three NBA seasons.
Count Fisher among the believers in the young Hawks’ shooting guard.
“He joined a team that already had an identity and has a lot of returning guys,” the Knicks coach said before Saturday’s game against the Hawks. “It’s difficult to break through in those situations. I think he belongs here in the league and when he gets his opportunity hopefully he’ll make the most of it.”
Hardaway spent his first two seasons with the Knicks after they drafted him out of Michigan. The Hawks acquired him this offseason for their first-round pick. However, Hardaway has seen limited action – as in just four appearances. He has been inactive 17 games, including Saturday’s contest. He also did a two-game stint in the NBA Development League earlier this season.
“I can promise you he is doing well and he is in a good place,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “A lot of it has been his approach to it. He’s been very professional. There is a real emphasis on player development with us and we’ve seen guys who have come in and maybe not started out gangbusters but through work, time and effort they find a way. I was say he is following that path in a very good way.”
Hardaway averaged 10.8 points per game in his two seasons in New York.
“It’s a different situation,” Fisher said. “He joined a team that made the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago. For all intents and purposes had rotations and key guys who played the minutes. Tim is a young player. He is a really good person and he works hard. He just has to continue to wait for his opportunity and when it comes take advantage of it.”
The Hawks play the Knicks three times in the next five games. Including Saturday, the next two Hawks home games are against the Knicks.
Hardaway continues to be presence on the bench, cheering teammates like Lamar Patterson who have taken minutes that might have been his. Against the Knicks, he plans to share his inside information.
“Definitely on scouting and knowing personnel and just being on the bench and calling out their plays before they even cross half court,” Hardaway said.
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