Hello: Tim Hardaway, Jr. Comment Count

Brian

2010 SG/SF Tim Hardaway, Jr., has committed to Michigan. UMHoops, linked there, has your googlestalk for you. As to who this guy is—other than the son of Tim Hardaway:

Hardaway is a 6-foot-4 lanky shooting guard with excellent length who is a great three point shooter. He’s not as athletic as Casey Prather and his offensive game isn’t as refined as Trey Zeigler’s but there is no doubt that he is the best shooter of the bunch.

File this guy under Vogrich/Douglass/Novak, not Manny.

The obvious question is "what about Zeigler and Prather?" Both of those guys are wing forward sorts who can fill the shot creation and penetration role that Harris has thus far in the Beilein regime; Hardaway does not fill their spot. It does, however, terminate the (faint, thrilling) possibility that Beilein could somehow snag both. While Rivals and Scout both give him an anonymous three-star ranking, ESPN has them in their top 100 at #93.

And it's worth repeating: Hardaway is another guy who fits in the Beilein mold, a lanky 6'4" shooter with the sort of basketball IQ you'd expect given his bloodlines; this is what the bulk of the roster is going to look like, in varying heights, as long as Beilein is in town.

The Rest of 2010: Lock down a high-rated wing forward who can be Harris and call it a day. Laugh about grabbing Smotrycz ten seconds before he blew up Bikini Atoll style. Prepare for many shots of Tim Hardaway in the crowd.

And 2011? Michigan loses Wright and Harris after 2010 so there will be at least two spots open. C Amir Williams, SG Brandan Kearney, PG Patrick Lucas-Perry, and combo guard Carlton Brundidge are the plan A folk.

Comments

Court Wenley

June 29th, 2009 at 4:10 PM ^

Blown up bikini atoll style is one of the better lines I have heard in a while, I hope it doesn't go underappreciated. American Culture 325 has contributed itself in the real world to understanding MGoBlog.

ShockFX

June 29th, 2009 at 4:19 PM ^

"And it's worth repeating: Hardaway is another guy who fits in the Beilein mold, a lanky 6'4" shooter with the sort of basketball IQ you'd expect given his bloodlines; this is what the bulk of the roster is going to look like, in varying heights, as long as Beilein is in town."

Meh. I think that is what most teams are composed of when then fail to land a dominant big man. See Duke, or UNC minus Hansborough for ACC examples.

jg2112

June 29th, 2009 at 4:21 PM ^

....more than creeped out any time a recruiter starts talking about the "length" of a basketball player?

I once heard Bilas say a player was "very long" and played "hard."

I had to turn off the TV and go to church.

tricks574

June 29th, 2009 at 4:39 PM ^

Anyone think we might get an extra schollie if * shudders * manny leaves early? I'd obviously prefer he didn't, but I would think he would be a serious nba prospect next year.

Tater

June 29th, 2009 at 8:28 PM ^

I think Hardaway will fit in perfectly. And I never underrate the value of the "bloodlines:" not the genetics per se, but the knowlege gained by having elite-level basketball be part of one's family from birth.

Hardaway probably has the "basketball reflexes" of a 25 year-old.

JBlair52

June 29th, 2009 at 8:58 PM ^

What's meant by the quote:
"File this guy under Vogrich/Douglass/Novak, not Manny."

Is this meant as in his role on the team? His athleticism? His playing style? His importance?

gpsimms not to…

June 29th, 2009 at 11:19 PM ^

People get a little excited because of the name, and because of the high ESPN ranking...but Hardaway actually seems to be more of a "fit" type.

He's a long, smart, guard who can shoot the lights out. Which is exactly what Beilein looks for, and more in the mold of Vogrich/Douglass/Novak. Reports are his ballhandling is a weak point, and he is not an uber-athletic, second coming of Manny Harris wing type. Like Vogrich/Douglass/Novak, his athelticism may be the limiting factor, but also like those three he has very highly developed basketball skill and will be very good.

This should not be taken as a negative really, Beilein has earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to identifying talent, and that is why I believe Hardaway will turn out very good.

I am telling you this based on reports I've read, I've never seen the kid in my life.

The best information on UM basketball is at www.umhoops.com

mgovictors23

June 30th, 2009 at 9:55 AM ^

If we can get either Prather or Zeigler this class is going to be really good. 2011 could even be better for us because the state of Michigan is stacked with talent and those guys in that class from what I'm hearing have alot of interest in us.