Tim Hardaway was traded by the New York Knicks to the Atlanta Hawks on draft night and says he is motivated by some parting shots from Phil Jackson.
In explaining the trade, the New York Post reports that the Zen Master said Friday he felt draft pick Jerian Grant has more of what the Knicks look for in a guard to fit their triangle offense.
“Once I heard him say that, all hands on deck now,” Hardaway said Monday at his introductory press conference with the Hawks. “Obviously as a basketball player, you take that to heart. So, it’s time to move on, get better, and when the time comes, the time comes. Right now, it’s all about Atlanta basketball.”
Knicks star Carmelo Anthony also was upset with the trade according to reports, feeling like the team betrayed him by getting rid of his teammate.
Hardaway described the triangle offense as “tough” to get used to.
“The triangle is a tough offense to get used to,” Hardaway said Monday. “You really have to be dedicated and mature to that end. We tried. We tried our best while we were there, but it’s a learning process. You learn and you get better each and every day. I think after a year, those guys will get used to it.”
Hardaway is not the first former Knicks player to complain about the triangle offense, and he won’t be the last. J.R. Smith even said he thought it would be hard for the team to recruit players because of their style. Even though Hardaway may feel hurt by Jackson replacing him with someone new, having a chip on one’s shoulder is always good for motivation. And going from the worst team in the Eastern Conference to the best can’t hurt either.
Photo: Tim Hardaway/Twitter
