The Crossover King is going to the Hall: Tim Hardaway Sr. headlines HOF class of 2022

By Edcel Panganiban May 05, 2022 04:02

We’ve seen a lot of players with amazing handles over the years, particularly Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving in this era.

But the true OG when it comes to nifty ball-handling hasn’t really gotten the love and appreciation that he truly deserves.

Finally, the Naismith Basketball of Hall of fame is set to open its doors for Tim Hardaway Sr.

Fan Arch athlete and Mr. “Killer Crossover” himself will finally be receiving his long-overdue orange jacket, and cement his place among basketball’s all-time greats.

Congratulations to Olympic Gold Medalist and 5x @nbaallstar, #22HoopClass finalist Tim Hardaway. pic.twitter.com/HHCOtxzezo
— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) February 18, 2022

Tim Hardaway Sr. headlines the 2022 Hall of Fame class, alongside Spurs great Manu Ginobili, former NBA head coach George Karl, and WNBA legend Swin Cash.

With Tim Hardaway Sr. finally getting the credit he deserves, you know what this means, right?

We now have all three members of the iconic “Run TMC” in the Hall of Fame!

Imagine Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin together on stage, presenting the award for their beloved floor general. That would be an amazing sight.

For sure, Tim Hardaway Sr.’s legion of devoted fans are ironing up their old Hardaway Warriors and Heat jerseys for the big day.

In case you don’t have one, Fan Arch has a wide selection of Tim Hardaway Sr. merchandise, which you can access through the website.

Tim Hardaway Sr. scored a total of 15,373 points, grabbed 2,855 rebounds, and dished out 7,095 assists throughout his storied 14-year NBA tenure. He also had career averages of 17.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 8.2 APG.

Tim Hardaway Sr. was picked 14th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 1989 NBA Draft. The Crossover King quickly took over the reins as the team’s primary ball-handler, joining forces with Mullin and Richmond to form an exhilarating, high-scoring trio.

The 6-foot playmaker was traded mid-season to the Miami Heat in 1995-96, where he linked up with the likes of Alonzo Mourning and Jamal Mashburn. Tim Hardaway Sr. also had brief tenures with the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, and the Indiana Pacers in the early 2000s before calling it a career in 2003.

He was named to the All-Star team five times, was an All-NBA First Team member in 1997, and a three-time All-NBA Second Team selection. Tim Hardaway Sr. even won a gold medal for Team USA in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, while his no. 10 jersey proudly hangs above the rafters of the Heat organization.

While Tim Hardaway Sr. has racked up quite a career highlight reel, he is best known for that sensational crossover dribble that took a lot of ankles back in the day. The move was dubbed as the “UTEP two-step” back in his collegiate days with UTEP Miners, before evolving into the “Killer Crossover” when he reached the big leagues.

After hanging up his sneakers, Tim Hardaway Sr. ventured into coaching. He became the man in charge of the Florida Pit Bulls in the ABA in 2006, and was the assistant head coach of the Detroit Pistons from 2014-2018.

Nowadays, his legacy lives on through his son and namesake Tim Hardaway Jr. Although not as flashy as his old man, he has developed into a lethal 3-and-D player for the Dallas Mavericks.

Make sure to check out Fan Arch’s amazing collection of player-inspired merchandise, which features Tim Hardaway Sr. and 700+ professional athletes from across all sports.

Fan Arch aims to transcend the narrative by making it easier to bridge the gap between athletes, influencers, and their fans. Check out our creative and personalized collection through Fanarch.com.