1 Question for every Dallas Mavericks player as countdown to NBA Playoffs begins

14. Tim Hardaway Jr.

Will Tim Hardaway Jr. be a reliable shooter or will his inconsistency continue?

Dallas Mavericks guard Tim Hardaway Jr.'s long shooting slump has been one of the biggest storylines about the team recently, and he has gone from one of Dallas' best shooters to someone who can't be counted upon.

This season for Dallas, Hardaway Jr. is averaging 15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.5 steals per game while shooting 40.5 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from downtown. After being in the conversation for Sixth Man of the Year early in the year, Hardaway Jr. has been playing poorly and is only playing 18 minutes per game in the month of March.

That is a big drop from playing over 32 minutes per game in February, but him being able to knock down open shots is crucial. The Mavs' 3-point shooting has been poor lately, and since Hardaway Jr. typically shoots multiple threes per game, it would be huge if he could knock down his open looks.

When he's hot, Hardaway Jr. is arguably the best shooter on the team. He can score in bunches, has deep range, and can provide scoring runs by himself. When he's cold, Hardaway Jr. doesn't provide much of an impact, and as we've seen lately, gets played off the floor.

Hardaway Jr.'s effectiveness as a shooter will be a massive question mark heading into the playoffs, and Mavs fans would be thrilled if his jumper starts to fall.