The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/495628
MICHIGAN IN THE PROS fore returning. He was averaging 11.3 points per contest in 69 games played, but hasn't been the all-around player the Knicks hoped he'd become. "It's about finishing strong and fin- ishing with the guys we have on our team right now," Hardaway said. "I'm not worried about next year, I'm wor- ried about this season and the [next] game. "It's just a point to try to end on a good note. You don't want to leave your team behind. I mean, it's my wrist — it's not like it's my leg or my hips. I'm able to run, I'm able to talk, I'm able to communicate out there on the court. I just want to go out there and play. I play for pride, and I play for the guys on our team." Knicks head coach Derek Fisher said Hardaway needed to show more effort on defense and other aspects of his game besides just his offense. "Tim is just continuing to evolve as a young man, and I think continuing to break away from the idea that shot making is the thing he can do to help his team," Fisher said. "Tim is much more versatile. His ball handling is im- proving, and his size gives him the chance to guard multiple players on the defensive end. Those are things he can do every night, and he's making a more concerted effort to do those this year. "Hopefully these last [few] games he can try and focus on the things we talked about focusing on when the season started. People know you can make shots, but the other parts of your game you're going to have to continue to mature and develop, so even with the wrist possibly still bothering him, the defense, the hustle, the rebounding … making good decisions, those are all things he can still do." In Utah, Burke has had his moments in the sixth man role after losing his starting job to rookie Dante Exum, averaging 10.9 points and 4.4 assists per game while seeing action in 75 of the team's first 81 contests. However, he was shooting only 37.1 from the floor with one game remaining in the season. He'd also missed four of five contests near season's end due to back spasms. Burke had started 43 games this sea- son, but he's embraced his role and looks forward to next year. "Yes, the West is brutal, but we defi- nitely think we can [make the playoffs next year]," he told BasketballInsiders. com. "We've beaten a lot of the top teams in the NBA. At the same time, we've lost a lot of games as well, but we know we can beat pretty much anyone with the team and the talent we have. "Next year, we'll have Alec Burks coming back [from injury]. We think it will be a great year for us." FORMER WOLVERINES ON NBA ROSTERS Through April 13 • Trey Burke (Played at U‑M from 2011‑13), PG, Utah Jazz: Has played in 75 games for the 38-43 Jazz … Was averaging 12.9 points, 4.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 37.1 percent from the floor. • Jamal Crawford (1999‑2000), SG, Los Angeles Clippers: Has played in