Tim Hardaway Jr. patient as changed role causes him to sit more
Tim Hardaway Jr. of the Knicks puts up a shot against Nikola Mirotic of the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Tim Hardaway Jr. has been in a different role than expected this season and he's had to learn to adjust to watching from the bench.
Derek Fisher has relied on Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith at shooting guard, and has gone with two point guards at times. Hardaway Jr. has totaled 26 minutes, 22 seconds in the last three games.
"It's kind of tough," he said before shooting 2-for-7 and scoring seven points. "But at the same time you can't harp on it. You got to mature and you got to understand what comes into play and where he's coming from."
Hardaway Jr. made the All-Rookie first team after averaging 10.2 points in 23.1 minutes last season, and was expected to be a main part of the rotation this season. Fisher likes how professional Hardaway Jr. has been in his approach and encouraging his teammates.
"I think Tim is still evolving as a player," Fisher said. "What I love about what Tim has done, he's continued to be a pro, worked hard every day. Tim's fine. It has nothing to do with what he isn't doing."
Hardaway Jr. will see a familiar face Wednesday night when the Knicks are in Detroit. His father, Tim, is an assistant on the Pistons.
"It's going to be fun," he said. Lineup change
Amar'e Stoudemire started in place of Quincy Acy Tuesday night. Fisher said it was because of the Wizards' size up front -- they start Nene and Marcin Gortat -- but also to give Acy a break. Acy, who started the previous two games, has a sprained right wrist, and was feeling some soreness.
Buzzer beaters
Wizards coach Randy Wittman was asked his opinion of a report that commissioner Adam Silver said a system of coaches' video replay challenges will be tried in the D League.
"I think it's stupid," Wittman said. When he was asked if he'd like to elaborate, he declined, but he did add, "We want to speed the game up, I thought."
With Mark Herrmann
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
