All season long, the Nuggets have been lauded for picking up Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency, stealing him away from the Pistons, where he had a great season as a starter. And the signing paid dividends, with THJ playing himself into third place in the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award for his role in coming off the Denver bench.
But perhaps more thought should have been given to why Detroit was so willing to let him go so easily, as the Nuggets were able to sign him to a one-year, veteran minimum contract in the offseason. Sure, he’s 34 years old, but he had a great season for a playoff team last year.
Unfortunately, though, it’s that playoff bit that’s the key. Hardaway Jr. is an 82-game player, not 16. That’s been the book on him for his entire career, and after falling off a cliff in the playoffs a year ago for the Pistons when they desperately needed him, the same thing is happening in real time for the Nuggets.
THJ has been underwhelming on both ends of the floor, a streaky shooter on offense, whose shots aren’t falling, and a downright liability on defense. Finally, David Adelman seemed to realize that in Game 5, with Denver’s season on the line. Hardaway Jr. played just 11 minutes after appearing for 27 in the previous three and 24 in Game 1.
Nuggets can’t rely on Hardaway Jr. going forward
And sadly, this is the reason that Hardaway has bounced around for his entire career, never quite living up to his potential. For his career, Tim has put up nearly 14 points per game on 42% from the field, including 36.5% from three. But for the playoffs, those numbers fall to just 9.7 points per game on 37% shooting and 32.9% from distance.
So, as what should probably come as a surprise to no one, it’s happening again. He scored 13.5 points a night this season on almost 45% shooting from three. But it has only taken five playoff games for him to prove to be nearly unplayable. In Game 2, he got hot and made 3-3 threes, but in the other four games, he has gone just 4-18.
Considering that outside of his shooting, he’s giving you virtually nothing, it’s time to make a change. The season was on the brink, the Nuggets needed a win, they gave Tim a burst (they were -1 in his 11 minutes, and +13 without him), ultimately went away from him, and looked as good as they have all series.
It’s not that he needs to be put completely on ice. He’s worth a look with the potential of getting hot. But DA needs to keep him on a short leash and come to the sad realization (if he hasn’t already) that Hardaway simply is not a reliable playoff performer.
Add us as a preferred source on Google