Atlanta Hawks: Top 5 Bench Players in 2016
By John Buhler
Feb 20, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) reacts during the second quarter against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
. Guard. Michigan. Tim Hardaway, Jr.. 5. player. 125
Though he had an inconsistent two-year tenure with the New York Knicks, I feel that HC Mike Budenholzer and GM Wes Wilcox made a smart decision by bringing over Tim Hardaway Jr. on a draft day trade. While Jr. might have been a high volume shooter for the bottom-feeder New York Knicks, he was a former standout for the Michigan Wolverines and has great basketball pedigree as the son of NBA Legend Tim Hardaway Sr.
I feel that playing on a team that emphasizes competitiveness through player development that Hardaway can achieve his maximum potential with the Atlanta Hawks these next few seasons. Though Coach Bud knows that Tim can make the outside shot (.353 3P% in his career), he will likely have to work his way into the rotation with the Atlanta Hawks as his defensive intensity is somewhat concerning.
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In the two seasons that Mike Budenholzer has been the Head Coach of the Atlanta Hawks, we’ve seen first hand how players develop on the wing in his system. Bud prioritizes defensive intensity and smart passing above all else. He builds his wings’ confidence through their play on defense and then allocate certain spots out on the perimeter where they can make three-pointers at a high percentage. Essentially, all of Coach Bud’s wings become 3-and-D type players or they are not featured in the rotation.
But given Hardaway’s proclivity for making tough outside shots and a clean slate with a new team in 2015-16, I can see Tim amp up the intensity on defense and becoming that third crucial wing in the Atlanta Hawks’ bench rotation. I’m anxious to see how Hardaway grows this fall through the good coaching of Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, Darvin Ham and the rest of the Atlanta Hawks’ coaching staff.
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