It’s been nearly three decades since former Miami Heat head coach and current team president Pat Riley coached Tim Hardaway Sr.
Like father, like son: Now, Tim Hardaway Jr. will be donning the Heat red and black, after signing a one-year, $6 million deal last week. And Riley, who coached his dad, arguably the greatest point guard in Heat history, is already setting the bar high for the 34-year-old sharpshooter, who had one of the best seasons of his career last year.
“[Tim Hardaway Jr.]’s had a great in the pros,” Riley said Wednesday. “(He was) one of the very first names that popped up when we know we needed to fortify our perimeter shooting and veteranism.
“If you go back and take a look at the 13-14 years you’ve been in the league, he has been very consistent with what he has done as a player what he has done as a shooter. Is he 50-40-90? That’s my challenge this year for him.”
Last year, Hardaway had the most efficient season of his career. He averaged 13.5 points on a career-best 40.7 percent from 3-point range. Hardaway also posted career bests in effective field goal percentage (59.1) and true-shooting percentage (62.4).
Why a 50-40-90 expectation for Tim Hardaway Jr. is admirable, but not realistic:
You shoot for the stars to land on the moon, correct? It’s OK to be irrational about your ambitions in life.
But this is an unrealistic goal set by Riley.
The Sixth Man of the Year finalist has never reached 50-40-90 in his career. Last year was his only season topping 40 percent from 3-point range. He’s never shot above 45.5 percent from the floor and has only exceeded 85.5 percent from the free-throw line once.
In a limited role, Hardaway should see plenty of open looks. He was one of the league’s most efficient spot-up shooters last year. He also excelled on wide-open looks, nearly eclipsing 50 percent (96-194), according to NBA.com’s shot tracking data.
The Heat would and should take a season from him with those aforementioned percentages — every day of the week and twice on Sunday. If Hardaway is 80 percent of the 50-40-90, that’s a big win. Miami needs as much floor spacing around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo it can take.
And, hopefully, the 13-year veteran is able to deliver.
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I think maybe Pat’s expectations are a little high.
NBA is inconsistent as hell. Puts the raps acquisition of Leonard on hold for the investigation, but lets the Hornets trade Rozier?
Also said the trade could go through but then the punishment would belong to the raptors? Lmao.
Adam Silver has lost the plot
we got greek alls good that ends well
Inconsistent indeed!
Inconsistent is right. Some teams get to slide while others get the shaft. Silver has lost credibility.
hes shot over 40% one time on 3s last year.when i watched him with nyk and dallas thought he was very mediocre.he better be able to defend.otherwise rather have the man who invented d mr uncan robinson.i was thinking if tyler was an average defender and was able to stay healthy oh well forget that
Riley should propose the next guy that does it will have a piece of jewelry commissioned with the 50-40-90 on it. It could be a ring, a necklace charm, or possibly even a grill. Their choice.