Tim Hardaway rumor

["hironaka@xxxxxxxxx"<hironaka@xxxxxxxxx>]

On a per minute basis, Tim Hardaway's points, steals, 
assists etc. haven't declined that dramatically in the 
past two seasons. I don't know how injuries affected his 
play, but Tim Hardaway broke a bone in his foot last 
April (fracture of the fifth metatarsal). He turns 36 
next month but for the most part has been reasonably 
durable (77 games in 01, 68 last year with the injury and 
a 2-game suspension). 

I don't know if he's a good fit in the Celtics locker 
room (he's definitely a loudmouth type), but on court his 
recent numbers and game fit neatly into the "Kenny" role. 
Maybe Hardaway can also get you five assists in 25 
minutes. Maybe he can stick in some daggers from 20 feet 
on out (he has more range than Kenny). He can handle the 
ball well. He can still steal the ball.

I also remember TH to be an impact defender in his prime, 
although I haven't paid attention to that aspect of his 
game lately and would imagine there might be a decline. 
But at least he's falling off from a high skill level.

Hardaway has not really been a "complete" point guard 
since the mid-90s when he last averaged 10 assists. 
Arguably, his decline into "over-rated" status began in 
97-98, the last time he shot above .400 from the field 
(he's down to .432 for his career). 

Of course at minimum wage, the "over-rated" tag becomes 
kind of debatable.

We ought to not forget how valuable and dangerous he was 
for Miami and, to some extent, the 2000 Olympic team. As 
recently as Y2K, I felt he was nearly as valuable to and 
menacing for the Heat as Zo. He personified the toughness 
and cockiness of those guys.

At 36 I don't think his impact will be huge, but it could 
be along the lines of Maravich in 79-80 or Ray Williams 
in 1988. 

As an interim measure until Pierce/Walker further mature 
God-willing into "unstoppable" Superstardom status, Tim 
Hardaway might account for a 5-game swing in the won-loss 
column. That's big.

I think Boston's point guard situation could really blow 
up on us this year, like it did for Detroit in the 
playoffs last year. NBA coaches will definitely find ways 
to exploit our current ballhandling weakness at both 
guard positions. 
 
So I can understand why Chris Wallace might be 
researching this scenario. Can he still play ball defense 
and harrass passing lanes? Can he further adjust to fifth-
option role player? Can he replicate Kenny's role last 
year without complaint? If so, a one-year deal might make 
sense. 

And if he wants to have a chance to actually contribute 
on a winning team, it should make great sense to Hardaway 
too. You come in as a lottery pick and play a dozen NBA 
seasons, I would hope he has built enough of a nest egg 
to not care about the money. He's probably made 100 
million or more.

Bottom line, I won't be overjoyed as a fan if Boston ends 
up signing a guy like Hardaway. He's a guy I've grown so 
used to rooting against. But, on paper, he addresses a 
potential problem that Erik Strickland or Damon Jones 
most emphatically do not IMHO.

Joe





-------------------
L'e-mail gratuit pas comme les autres.
NOMADE.FR, pourquoi chercher ailleurs ?