Tim Hardaway

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Hardaway was born in Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from Carver Area High School in 1985. On August 29, 2022, his jersey was retired by Carver Area. He played college basketball for the UTEP Miners under head coach Don Haskins. Hardaway was twice named MVP of El Paso's Sun Bowl Invitational Tournament, in 1987 and 1988. He played on teams that went to the NCAA Tournaments from 1986 to 1989. He won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award in 1989 as the best college player in the nation six feet tall or under. While playing for the Miners, Hardaway developed his crossover dribble move that was called the "UTEP two-step". He was selected as the 14th overall pick of the 1989 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors. Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin formed a trio known as Run TMC. As a Warrior, Hardaway made the NBA All-Star Game three straight years. He suffered a torn ligament in his left knee that kept him out of the entire 1993–94 season. He reached 5,000 points and 2,500 assists faster than any other NBA player except Oscar Robertson. Hardaway played for the Warriors until the middle of 1995–96 season when he was traded to the Miami Heat. Following the mid-season trade to Miami, Hardaway started 28 games to finish the season. The following season he finished 4th in voting for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, was selected to the All-NBA First Team as Miami won a franchise record 61 wins. He also played in the 1997 NBA All-Star Game. In the 1997–98 season, Hardaway was selected to play in the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. That summer, Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning won a gold medal playing for the U.S.A. men's basketball team at the 2000 FIBA Americas Championship. Following the 2000–01 season, Hardaway was traded to the Dallas Mavericks on August 22, 2001. He was at one time Miami's all-time leader in assists (2867). With Dallas, he was mainly utilized off the bench. In the middle of the season, he was traded to the Denver Nuggets. With the Nuggets he started 14 games. Hardaway was suspended for two games and fined $10,000 by the league when he threw a television monitor onto the court after being ejected in the March 15 game against Orlando. On March 23, facing the Seattle SuperSonics, Hardaway suffered a broken left foot that knocked him out for the rest of the game and season. On June 25, 2002, the Nuggets decided to waive Hardaway and buy out the final tw

In Their Own Story

The 1991 playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers remains a defining moment for Hardaway in Golden State. The seventh-seeded Warriors faced the second-seeded Lakers, led by Magic Johnson. Although they lost the series in five games, Hardaway delivered a masterclass performance, averaging 26.8 points and 12.8 assists per game while recording 3.8 steals. He managed to steal a victory on the road in Game 2, showcasing his ability to dominate against elite competition. This series highlighted the unique dynamic of Run TMC, where Hardaway's playmaking set the tone for the offense. Even as injuries and roster changes eventually pulled the team out of contention, this run cemented Hardaway's status as a premier point guard capable of carrying a franchise through the grueling postseason.

Reader's Guide

Hardaway was the 1989 WAC Player of the Year. He recorded 5,000 points and 2,500 assists, second fastest in NBA history after Oscar Robertson. Hardaway accomplished it in 262 games; Robertson took only 247. He held the record for most assists in Miami Heat franchise history with 1,947, until his total was surpassed by Dwyane Wade on January 16, 2010. Hardaway shares the record for second most steals in an NBA playoffs game, with 8 in Game 2 of the 1991 Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers and in Game 4 of the 1992 Western Conference First Round against the Seattle SuperSonics. In 1991–92, Hardaway became the 7th player in NBA history to average 20 points (23.4 ppg) and 10 assists (10.0 apg) in a season, a feat he accomplished again in 1992–93 (21.5 ppg, 10.6 apg). Hardaway holds the NBA record for the worst single-game shooting performance in NBA history, going 0-for-17 in a 106–102 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 27, 1991.

Did You Know?

• Hardaway reached 5,000 points and 2,500 assists faster than any other NBA player except Oscar Robertson.
• Hardaway's 8 steals in a playoff game tie the NBA record for most steals in a single playoff game.

The Rise of Run TMC

Tim Hardaway arrived in Golden State as the 14th pick in the 1989 NBA draft, quickly becoming the catalyst for a new offensive philosophy. He joined Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin to form 'Run TMC,' a trio celebrated for their fast break and individual brilliance. In his rookie season, he wore number 5 before acquiring number 10 after Manute Bol's departure. The trio led the Warriors to the playoffs in 1991, where they defeated the San Antonio Spurs but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. Hardaway averaged 23.4 points per game in 1991–92 and 10.6 assists per game in 1992–93, establishing himself as a dual-threat guard. His ability to accumulate stats rapidly saw him reach 5,000 points and 2,500 assists faster than any player except Oscar Robertson.

The UTEP Two-Step and College Dominance

Before his NBA success, Hardaway developed his signature move at the University of Texas at El Paso under coach Don Haskins. He was named MVP of the Sun Bowl Invitational Tournament twice, in 1987 and 1988, and led his teams to the NCAA Tournaments from 1986 to 1989. In 1989, he won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award as the best player in the nation six feet tall or under. It was during these college years that television analysts dubbed his crossover dribble the 'UTEP two-step,' a move that would later define his professional career. His high school roots at Carver Area High School in Chicago also played a role, with his jersey eventually being retired by the school on August 29, 2022.

Miami's Ascension and Olympic Glory

After leaving Golden State mid-season in 1996 for Miami, Hardaway immediately revitalized the Heat. He finished fourth in MVP voting in his first full season with Miami, helping the team win a franchise-record 61 games and earning an All-NBA First Team selection. His playoff run included averaging 26 points per game as the Heat reached the Eastern Conference Finals, highlighted by a 38-point performance in Game 7 against the New York Knicks. Beyond his NBA success, Hardaway won a gold medal with the United States national team at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, shooting .385 from the field and averaging 5.5 points per game.

Legacy and Hall of Fame Induction

Tim Hardaway's career concluded with stints in Dallas, Denver, and Indiana before he retired in November 2003. His impact was recognized in 2022 when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2022. He was a five-time NBA All-Star and a five-time All-NBA Team member during his career. His legacy is also carried on by his son, Tim Hardaway Jr., who became an NBA player. Hardaway's unique crossover dribble revolutionized the point guard position, and his record for fastest to 5,000 points and 2,500 assists remains a testament to his efficiency and scoring ability.