Tim Hardaway Jr. is still waiting to make his Hawks debut.
The guard, acquired in June in a draft-night trade with the Knicks, was inactive for the season opener against the Pistons Tuesday. With Mike Muscala and Thabo Sefolosha out against those same Knicks Thursday, Hardaway dressed but did not play. He is clearly in a rotation on the wing behind starter Kent Bazemore and reserves Lamar Patterson, Justin Holiday and Sefolosa. The Hawks gave up their first-round draft pick to obtain Hardaway which will be the move under scrutiny.
On why Hardaway was inactive against the Pistons, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer indicated there is plenty of competition for playing time.
“We’ve got a group of wings who are all fighting for opportunity,” Budenholzer said before Thursday’s game. “They’ve all done things well in the preseason. You have to make some hard decisions. He is somebody we feel strongly about. He’s going to be good for us. Tonight, if we need him, I know he’s available and ready.”
The playing time and rotation of the Hawks’ wings, Patterson in particular, is an indication of the current hierarchy. The Hawks have been impressed with Patterson’s development. He has entered in the first quarter of both games and played key fourth-quarter minutes. The latter is a role Budenholzer covets players with strong defensive skills.
Hardaway said he still felt a part of the team even while being inactive.
“Obviously you always want to be active as a player and you always want to dress to do what you can to help the team win,” Hardaway said. “At the same time, I was there on the sideline calling out plays for my teammates, seeing things coming before they could see it and yelling out calls. At the end of the day, I felt like I was part of the team in that aspect and I was out there communicating and helping those guys try to win.”
