It’s been a season of dreams for the Detroit Pistons—at least, based on what happened last season. They were one of the worst teams in the league last year, even tying the NBA record for most consecutive losses in a row at 28. But now, not only are they staring postseason basketball in the face, but they have a comfortable lead over the teams in the Play-In Tournament, meaning they will likely lock up the sixth seed.
Guys like Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley have been crucial to their success as veterans and quality scorers. The same can be said about Tim Hardaway Jr.
Unfortunately, Hardaway could just be setting Pistons fans up for heartbreak once the playoffs come around.
Tim Hardaway Jr.'s defense may disappoint Pistons fans in playoffs
So far this season, Hardaway is averaging 10.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 40.4% from the field and 35.8% from behind the three-point line.
His 28.3 minutes per game ranks third on the team behind only Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris (Jaden Ivey was also averaging more before his injury), but the playoffs could be a different story.
While Hardaway has undoubtedly been a crucial part of the Pistons’ success this season, playoff basketball and regular-season basketball are not the same. And when it comes down to it, individual defense is far more important in the playoffs than in the regular season.
As the game slows down a bit and teams get more intentional with what they want to do on offense, they will begin hunting out the weak links on defense more frequently. And though Hardaway can be an absolute bucket, he’s never been the best defender.
Looking ahead at the Pistons’ potential first-round opponent, the New York Knicks, Hardaway would almost certainly be thrown into a pick-n-roll guarding Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns over and over again.
Even if the Pistons try to hide him off the ball, the Knicks would simply screen away from the play in order to get him involved in the action.
There’s obviously a chance that Hardaway steps up his game and looks competent on the defensive end. But if past occurrences have painted any sort of picture of the future, then it may look ugly.
Hardaway will definitely get some tick in the playoffs, but his defense could disappoint fans. And if it becomes a trend, JB Bickerstaff may have to have a very short leash.