Tim Hardaway Jr. New York Knicks
(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

New York Knicks wing Tim Hardaway Jr. loves what he’s seeing from David Fizdale and he’s excited about the vibe he brings to the team.

Tim Hardaway Jr. is entering a pivotal year in his career with the New York Knicks. He’s the de facto number one option on offense without Kristaps Porzingis. Not to mention, he’s playing for a new head coach in David Fizdale.

But Hardaway Jr. is excited about the team’s new boss. Hardaway told Marc Berman of the New York Post this about Fizdale:

“He’s respected around the league. He does bring that type of vibe and character around the team that makes you want to go out there and compete each and every day for him. That’s what we love about him.”

Fizdale seems to check all the boxes for Hardaway. The culture change Fizdale brings could help the Knicks reach new heights. Hardaway even spoke about the possibility of this team shocking the world.

“All I know is we’re going to play team ball and get as many wins as possible so we can reach out goal and make the playoffs. We have a lot of talent. “That’s our goal. I see my team making the playoffs with coach Fiz and his new style of play and his attention to detail and holding everyone accountable. I feel we can get there.”

No one expects the Knicks to make the playoffs — well at least no one outside of Madison Square Garden. FiveThirtyEight only gives the Knicks a six percent chance to make the playoffs.

Even in the power vacuum of the Eastern Conference, the Knicks aren’t going anywhere this season. The Atlantic Division is stacked and the Knicks will have a tough time with the likes of the Celtics, Sixers and Raptors 12 times next season.

But playoff talk isn’t a bad thing from Hardaway, though. Fizdale is trying to build a winning culture in New York and at the very least, THJ is buying in.

 
NY/NJ hoops reporter (NBA/NCAA) & sports betting writer for XL Media. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.