The New York Knicks seem to have a thing for stockpiling bad big men (see Stoudemire, Amare, and Bargnani, Andrea), but they've also built a stable of really good shooting guards with Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, and Tim Hardaway, Jr.
Shumpert has shown flashes of promise during his up-and-down three-year career, J.R. Smith (who's always hot-and-cold) had his best season as a pro just two years ago and signed a big contract extension, and Hardaway looks like a rising star coming into his second year in the league.
Though first-year head coach Derek Fisher has said that everyone other than Carmelo Anthony is battling for a starting job, Shumpert is the returning starter at that position. Shumpert is a lockdown defender who can get to the rim and finish on offense, but he's rarely aggressive and has an inconsistent jumper.
We all know what J.R. Smith can do - it's just a matter of if he will or not. His outside shot can be deadly when he's on, but he's going to shoot A LOT whether it is or not. Smith's defense is subpar and he can be a distraction off the court, but his offensive talent is undeniable.
Tim Hardaway can offer the best of both worlds, though he's still progressing as a player. He isn't a great defender but he works hard and is usually in good position, and has a well-rounded (but still unpolished) offensive game. Hardaway still has to prove he can be consistent on a night-to-night basis as most young players do, but he has all the makings of a future starter in New York.
Fisher's resounding message early in training camp has been a focus on defense and teamwork, which gives Iman Shumpert a leg up on his competition. However, since his contract up at the end of the year and the two sides haven't talked about an extension, Shumpert may be moved before the trade deadline.
From there, if he progresses the way he did last year, Fisher is going to have to go with Hardaway to start. He's more focused on defense than J.R. Smith, who Fisher will expect big minutes from off the bench, but Hardaway just fits in better with the starting unit.
So, Shumpert will start opening day, but Tim Hardaway, Jr. should be starting by the end of the season.
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