Tim Hardaway Jr. still has to be pointed in the right direction now and again.
Nothing wrong with that. He is learning entirely different offensive and defensive systems, after all. The new Hawks guard says he is finding his way during training camp and exhibition games after the team acquired him in a draft-night trade with the Knicks in June.
“I’m doing fine,” Hardaway said after a recent practice. “Trying to get in the mix of everything. My teammates are doing a great job of pointing me out in different situations where I need to be on both ends of the court. It’s great to have veterans who are able to do that.”
The Hawks gave up their first-round pick this year in favor of a more-known commodity in Hardaway. They entered the draft with the 15th overall pick but selected Kelly Oubre for the Wizards as they moved down four spots. The Wizards selected Jerian Grant on behalf of the Hawks to facilitate the trade with the Knicks for Hardaway.
The trade received mixed reviews at the time, but it can only be fairly judged in several years when players such as Oubre, Bobby Portis and other players the Hawks passed on are well into their NBA careers.
In Hardaway, the Hawks believe they have an established player with plenty of potential. In his first season of 2013-14, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie first team and was fifth in rookie of the year voting. He averaged 10.2 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 23.1 minutes. Last season, he averages were up to 11.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 24 minutes.
The Hawks also had a need for a backup shooting guard to play behind Kyle Korver. And Hardaway can shoot. The Hawks remember the 23-point game he had in Atlanta in the next to last game last season, a Knicks win.
Determining when and where his shots will come is part of the learning process for the Hawks’ spread offense. It’s a long way from the triangle scheme employed by the Knicks with Carmelo Anthony.
“On the offensive end, I have to pick and choose when to shoot and when not to shoot,” Hardaway said. “I’ve got Dennis (Schroder), Jeff (Teague) and Coach (Mike Budenholzer), they are all doing a great job of letting me know where my spots will be on the floor. I’m just trying to follow Kyle’s lead while I’m out there.
“Obviously, it’s different. Different team, different organization. I’m just going to do what I can. If the wide-open shot is there, I’m going to take it. If not, I’m going to create a shot and find my teammates and trust they will make the shot.”
The 6-foot-6 Hardaway has appeared in both Hawks’ exhibition games and averaged 5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 19 minutes. Playing alongside Korver, he spent time guarding the Cavaliers’ LeBron James in the exhibition opener. His defensive assignments will vary.
Offensively, Budenholzer said Korver is the primary player for Hardaway to watch to determine how he will fit.
“Those two would be the most similar,” Budenholzer said. “He’s starting to figure that out. That’s going to take some time, figuring out where he can find shots and get good looks. Whether it be coming off screens or spacing and understanding when the bigs might find him, that’s going to take a little time. But he’s starting to get a feel for that.”
