Exit Tim Hardaway Jr.
![MICHIGAN-TAKES-STEP-FORWARD1[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/Exit-Tim-Hardaway-Jr_D2C2/MICHIGAN-TAKES-STEP-FORWARD11.jpg "MICHIGAN-TAKES-STEP-FORWARD1[1]")
From a very strange post I put together about THJ and Jared Sullinger screaming at each other.
Michigan's NBA exodus picks up a second member as Tim Hardaway, Jr., has decided to put his name in. Hardaway is probably not a first round pick, but probably wouldn't have been a first-rounder next year anyway. It makes some sense for him to go. It wasn't a slam dunk like Burke; it wasn't a "really?" decision like Manny Harris and, to a lesser extent, Darius Morris.
This isn't exactly unexpected. While the loss of a potential senior captain is a blow, this site's post about what the roster looks like next year had already taken his absence into account without damaging the outlook too badly:
In the Hardaway departure scenario, give or take five minutes here and there:
PG: Walton (25) / Spike (15)
SG: Stauskas (30) / LeVert (10)
SF: Irvin (25) / LeVert (15)
PF: GRIII (35) / Morgan (5)
C: McGary(30) / Morgan (5) / Horford (5)
There are worse things than handing over one of Michigan's wing spots to a five-star freshman and a hopefully-improving Caris LeVert. Lose McGary or Robinson—or, ugh, both—and serious dents start showing up.
Let us all remember Tim by the "tim hardaway jr photo spectacularrr" tag, and save a thought for your favorite Michigan basketball photographer.
1 - I guess because you say so, it makes it true.
2 - Umm, OK. So I guess THJ is the first player in history to decide whether or not to enter the NBA draft without considering his NBA draft stock at all. Smart move?
3 - I didn't say he needed the money. I said his want for the money now was the only reason for this I could muster.
4 - No, he simply is not. Some say he won't be drafted, and most have him in the second round. Players who are drafted in the second round are not "certainly decent NBA player"s. Hell, some players in the top 5-10 are not decent NBA players. Yes, he could have a respectable career, of course. But it's miles from certain, and the smart money, like it is for all second round picks, is firmly on NO.
5 - I'm not from MLive, or anywhere else. I'm not sure if you always argue this poorly, but you have managed to damage my opinion of ennumerated lists, which makes me sad.
I'll use paragraph form this time.
I didn't need to "say so." You said everything yourself and showed your lack of even average knowledge for the situation. I have no issues if you think THJ isn't a good player (which I know you didn't say), but you gave false information. He's not a mid-to-late 2nd round pick, only YOU have said that. By all accounts he's late 1st to early second.
You also spoke about playing in Europe, again, since when is this fact that THJ is headed to Europe? Is it possible? Sure. But don't speak on it as if it is a certainty.
You said "twenty years ago everyone would've said the same thing." Newsflash, it's not 20 years ago! I actually agree with this statement, but again, it's not 20 years ago. The number of high school and underclassmen have pushed guys like THJ down the board. If this was 20 years ago, most of us expect THJ to come back. It's not.
You go on to say that he's perhaps even lucky to be drafted, and so on and so forth. It's garbage. He's not a fringe player to even be drafted. Stop it. You know better. We all know better.
You finished the another statement about Europe, again, there is nothing that says he's a lock or even likely to go to Europe.
You were flaming. Don't get mad at my numbering for calling you out on it.
April 18th, 2013 at 10:49 AM ^
but really, for someone who has barely commented before, you have chosen this issue to get all bothered about? If you don't get that it is over-the-top negative, and more attuned to other sites, then you need to reassess and chill. Let the glass be half- full and wish Timmy the best.
And we will miss him. [I won't hold my breath that, if Tim does make it in the NBA, you will return and mea culpa?]
April 18th, 2013 at 11:24 AM ^
IMO, the really silly thing about his post is the suggestion that THJ's making this position from a position of ignorance.
His dad is not just a former player, he's an NBA scout. THJ knows far, far better what NBA talent evaluators think of his game than anyone posting here does because of all his dad's connections. The only reasonable conclusion is that he's hearing that another year won't improve his draft prospects or will actively hurt them.
for the memories Tim!
Represents your university with class, works hard, and plays an undebatable part in elevating the program such that we all got the privilege of enjoying a run to the Final Four, there is one acceptable response to his announcement that he's leaving:
Good luck.
Any other response indicates you're an asshole. Hard-hitting, in-you-face, years-of-experience-as-an-NBA-scout-I-Imagine, non-rainbow analysis or not.
Good luck, Tim. You were a key cog in bringing our program back to national relevance. Godspeed in your NBA quest.
Tie your laces tight, Zak Irvin. Major minutes are coming your way.
And ESPN/B1G Network will miss knowing exactly to whom the camera should pan when we needed to see what TH Sr thought about things...
I think Brian's assessment is right: he probably wasn't going to move up to a lottery pick no matter what he did next year. After all, Kentucky will have another six guys competing for those spots.
For THJ, one more year of college won't be the determining factor in whether or not he will make it as an NBA player; his ability to adapt to that game and other NBA players (and ability to stay healthy) will be.
I will miss that bizarre, misshapen hat he often wore.
Another year of collegiate ball will make him a better NBA player. Simply put...another year to hone his skills where he is deficient. Should he go into NBA this year, he will be a rookie riding the bench, and has very little opportunity to improve his skills. Given another year, he will be fighting to save his seat on the bench with the next group of rookies. An given another year, there may be no more room on the bench for him. Regardless, we have to wish THJ the best of luck in prusuing his dream to play in the NBA. Go Blue.
Thanks for the 3 great years at Michigan and best wishes for all your future dreams and goals.
Go get em timmy. Hope he gets a great trainer and takes it to the next level, physically and mentally.
...the biggest difference between morris / harris and burke / hardaway, in my opinion, is that those guys left with significant unfinished business and possibly the opportunity to move up if they stuck around.
burke / hardaway are leaving having led this team to the final four, which (also imho) is the ultimate goal for any program not named kentucky. you make the final four, you get to walk with your head held high, no regrets.
maybe i'll feel differently two years from now if we stay on this level but don't completely grab the ring, but right here, right now, i'm okay.
It's the Sophmore's team now.
If McGary and Robinson return (with Stauskas), it provides them an excellent opportunity to prove that they are worthy of being picked somewhere from 1-10 in next years draft.
If you get drafted there, obviously, you get a much greater financial commitment and development commitment from whatever NBA team picks you.
Here is hoping they stay and take advantage of the opportunity, just like Burke did, and end up being rewarded in a similar fashion.
Don't know if it's been mentioned but THJ's 4-2 record vs MSU is pretty impressive.
To me this is a Dairus Morris/Trey Burke situation for Irvin. He probably expected to play for a year behind Hardaway, but will hopefully make an even bigger impact that Hardaway did. Also, I saw a video where Irvin's mom says she wants him to get a degree before going to the NBA, which THANK GOD
However, I still highly doubt Zak will stay for the degree, despite what his mom may now say. Honestly, Zak Irvin has the most NBA potential of anyone on this year's roster or next year's roster. His frame is really long, and he hasn't scratched the surface of his athleticism yet. He's also a tremendous scorer off the bounce.
I hope he steps in quickly and gets tons of minutes. I agree with you that I would rather he be good enough to go in 1 year, but stay for 2.
play the last 3 years. When he was hot - he was as good as anybody.......
Why isn't Max Bielfeldt being given more consideration as a back up at the Power Forward position? At 6'7" and 245 lbs., he certainly has the size to play that position. From what I saw when he was in, he had the agressiveness that oftentimes seemed to be missing from GRIII and his skill set seemed to be roughly comparable to Morgan.
April 17th, 2013 at 11:49 PM ^
I don't disagree with anything you are saying but he doesn't really have a varied/versatile offensive game that belein would prefer out of the 4.
Thank you Tim.
While it would be great to have him for a senior season, he's given 3 excellent years (minus a few horrendous shooting nights) to the program. Will be sorely missed but wish him the best in the future.
But he had nice help from a supporting cast.
April 17th, 2013 at 10:10 PM ^
April 17th, 2013 at 11:40 PM ^
Does this open up a scholarship for Gavin Schilling?
It would have been great having a veteran senior to lead next year team! But I understand why Tim decided to go pro.
THJr perhaps more than anyone is aware of the uncertainties that await him as he enters the NBA draft. Most agree --- as do I --- that another year at M would not have appreciably improved his draft prospects. He has gone through the NBA vetting process and apparently is encouraged enough --- or not discouraged enough --- to feel he has a realistic chance to catch on with one of the 30 teams in the league. No doubt dad has counseled him as well. And dad attended almost every game, sitting there in his "M" stocking cap, watching his son play. One would hope that if THJr truly lacked an NBA-level skillset, dad would have been the first to tell him.
I hope he makes it.
Taylor Lewan: "The team, the team, the team."
Trouba, Merrill, Burke, Hardaway: "The money, the money, the money."
This isn't really fair at all - for a variety of reasons....especially Burke.
1. A pg's stock is much more volatile than a OT's stock would be, in my opinion. Burke has much more to lose in terms of relative stock drops than Lewan did. His stats, accomplishments, etc. would be very difficult to top. All that coming back would do is give teams another year to expose weaknesses among other things.
2. Burke has accomplished essentially everything he can at the collegiate level with a national title being the obvious thing he did not, but there is no guarantee he would get back there/win it. He won national POY, a big ten title (which Lewan listed as his main reason to return), and made the championship game.
April 18th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^
Every time I see that picture of Hardaway high-stepping, I think of Li'l Penny and the puppet from the No Diggity video.
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