Nearly 17 years ago, former Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway Sr. became the second player in franchise history to have his number retired. He was the first player in Heat history to earn All-NBA honors (1996-97), averaging 17.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists across six seasons with the organization.
Now, his No. 10 will be worn again, but buy his son, Tim Jr., who signed a one-year deal with the Miami Heat last week.
Though it was initially met with some resistance.
While Tim Sr. was extremely happy for his son playing for the organization he once called home, he immediately shot down the possibility of his son wearing his number that’s hung in the rafters for nearly two decades.
“My legacy is my legacy, and he’s doing it his way,” he said. “Even though he likes to wear 10 — he loves to wear 10 — but that is not coming down from the rafters. … When it’s up there, you want it to stay up there and you don’t want nobody to touch it. I love him. I love him to death. I’m happy for him.”
It did not take long for that to change, however. Iconic Heat radio play-by-play announcer Jason Jackson reported earlier this week that Hardaway would wear his father’s No. 10. Speaking with reporters for the first time on Wednesday, Hardaway Jr. revealed why that was now the case.
“To the number, which everyone wants to know, I’m just going to leave it at this: The first go around, there was a personal decision, and the second go around, it was a family decision,” he said.
Hardaway has worn 10 at two previous stops, most recently with the Dallas Mavericks in 2024. He also wore it with the Atlanta Hawks from 2015-17. Was there a family vote this time around? Hardaway does have a sister, so it could have been majority rules (3 v. 1). Or did the Hall of Famer see the light after a brief talk with his family?
Perhaps we’ll never know.
What we do know, however, is that Hardaway, 34, immediately becomes one of the Heat’s top shooters. He is coming off a career season, averaging 13.5 points on a career-best 40.7 percent from 3-point range.
Depending on how the Heat manage their final 2-3 roster spots, there’s a case for the 13-year veteran to start. As of right now, though, I’d give the starting spot for Larsson. Hardaway is comfortable in a limited role as a 6th (or even 7th) man, especially to gear that bench unit.
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Right now I think Hardaway starts and Pelle is playing the JJJ role. This could change once we sign another guy or two.
Pelle’s defense is better and Hardaway is better as a substitute bringing a spark to the second unit off the bench.
Hardaway is 34 and won’t be able to handle the grind of starting as well as Larsson will. Plus, that starting 5 with Larsson would present a formidable defense. If James does decide to play for Miami, both Larsson and Hardaway could come in off the bench.
I think Jovic felt at a disadvantage last season trying to compete for playing time. This year, he won’t have Jaquez to compete with so he should have a clear path to earn Jaime’s former 6th man role. Time will tell.
w/o looking dont think thjr ever been a starter,i think pelle an all round better player.at hardaways age hes better off as a bench guy.pelle/dav bc not champ level.need demar or hopefully lebron.w/o either one no shot for jewelry
I don’t disagree with anything you or Sunman said, and I also said right now, specifically the start of the season. You guys know how Spo thinks. If Lebron is in the lineup Spo will want to start the game off with spacing. Love Pelle but he’s not as much as a league-wide known 3pt threat. JJr is. Pelle can come in as super sub and also probably close games. Probably ends up with more minutes per game, but Spo loves that 3pt guy in the lineup to start games. Think Luke Nuke’em.
i dont think pelle or thjr are closers.gotta do better than that
Once again, as of today. That being said, I would prefer Pelle for his hardnosed play instead of a DeRozan or a Beal UNLESS we were behind a bit. If not, the two aforementioned would be a target like Herro, which you really loved.
dd is bad on d havent really payed attention to much he wasnt my concern not being a heater ,i know hes a bucket getter.pelle isnt.if hes duncanish or tylerish on d which nobody in the nba is then put pelle over him closing time.beal hasnt played in a while i just remember him from his younger days when he played at all star level.15 years later obviously older and slower.rather have dd than bb.
With the stout defense of the other starters, I’d have no problem with DeRozan starting. And as I’ve documented before, neither Herro nor Duncan are near the worst defenders in the league.
has a hockey team and a basketball team ever won champ same year.good chance could happen next year here.
we have a realistic chance to get a parade.get a ring chaser or two resign wigg norm its there for the taking
we are now relevant this feels like lebron going to so beach
(but now, unless we add _____, we have no shot for jewelry)
I would do the same.