Tim Hardaway Jr. is following in his dad’s footsteps on the Heat — but he won’t be wearing his father’s old number.
The younger Hardaway agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million deal to join the franchise where his father starred for six seasons from 1996-2001.
And while Hardaway Jr. will look to emulate his dad’s sharpshooting in South Beach, the Hall of Famer wants to maintain his “legacy” and keep his No. 10 uniform retired.
“My legacy is my legacy. Even though he likes to wear No. 10, that is not coming down from the rafters,” Hardaway Sr. told WQAM radio in Miami. “That is tough to do. And 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. I’m happy for him. …. Watching him play through college and the NBA, he’d been to three places I’d never been: the Final Four, a championship, and now, he’s going to his hometown team. I never done that, and so, I’m happy that he’s doing it,” Hardaway Sr. continued about his son, who grew up in South Florida.
“But no, he can’t wear No. 10.”
The 34-year-old wing has worn No. 10 for the Hawks, Mavericks and Nuggets, and his father also wore the number in Miami before the franchise retired it in 2009
Hardaway Jr. has also worn Nos. 3, 5, 11 and 8 during his career, though only No. 3 is currently available on the Heat roster.
He had a solid year for the Nuggets last season as he averaged 13.5 points per game and finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting.
Now, with the Heat’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to be finalized soon, Hardaway Jr. will look to serve as a complementary piece around the two-time MVP.
