Hardaway(s) and Expectations
I read an article recently in which Tim Hardaway Sr. stated, with a certain misplaced intensity, that he was watching his son play Purdue not as a father but as a scout for the Miami Heat. Now it is clear that Tim Hardaway Jr. has professional aspirations, and as such, the development of his individual game is important and should be part of his focus while playing college basketball. But having your dad sit in the stands "as a scout" creates what I believe to be an unfair and discomforting environment for a developing player.
It was novel and exciting to see Tim Hardaway Sr. at Michigan games at first. I originally looked at it very similar to Dell Curry watching Seth. Then I started looking a little closer. Dell Curry is decked out in Duke gear, he is a Duke fan because his son plays for Duke. He is cheering for his son, but he is doing with Popcorn in his hand and a Duke hat on his head. Tim Hardaway Sr. does not appear to be a Michigan fan. He does not appear to applaud the effort or performance of the team. He does not even applaud his son's successes with pride. His disposition does not appear to be one of support but of expectation. He gets a lot of screen time, and I don't think I have seen a clip of him where he is not showing visible consternation at a failing of Tim Jr. or an aggressive scowling approval that Tim Jr. has done something "right," done something that a "Hardaway should do."
Tim Hardaway Jr. looked to be having a lot of fun last year. It is easy to have fun when you an overperforming freshman without any expectations than to help Michigan win a game. I saw Tim Hardaway Sr. much less frequently last year, and not at all until Jr. earned a reputation worthy of professional consideration. Tim Jr. is from all reports a good kid, a team oriented player, and a kid that looked to have a lot of fun just playing, just playing for Michigan. He does not appear to be having any fun right now. I think he wants to be playing for Michigan but is playing for Team Hardaway. Playing for Michigan, getting to loose balls is important, scratching and clawing to get to a rebound is important. On Team Hardaway, I don't think these things register the way they should. I think Team Hardaway might be asking a little much of him right now. I think the minute Tim Hardaway Jr. smiles again the shots will start falling, but it is hard to smile when your stat line is more important than the outcome of a game.
Maybe the NBA is going to have to wait, and maybe Tim Sr. should think about buying a Michigan hat and enjoy a game once in a while.
February 6th, 2012 at 10:49 AM ^
Hardaway Jr. needs a heavy dose of Greg Harden!
February 6th, 2012 at 11:06 AM ^
I think he suffered a pretty bad concussion in Latvia this summer. Paul Hewitt had him coming off the bench. Think it really rattled his confidence, his shot has been off ever since.
I have to wonder if it is going to take another offseason with the team to put him back together.
February 6th, 2012 at 11:08 AM ^
Tim Hardaway Jr gets more scrutiny now, and opposing coaches have figured out how to defend him better. Also, the shots just aren't dropping. THJ is still just a sophomore, and he is still developing his game.
Besides, there is one huge silver lining here. There is no way he leaves after this year now, because his perceived value is lower than what many think his actual value will be after he gets his shot falling again.
THJ will be fine. It would be great if he "found his shot" just in time for the B1G and NCAA Tournaments. Either way, I think it is safe to say that nobody is going to outwork THJ this summer.
February 6th, 2012 at 11:16 AM ^
It seems like people are underestimating the loss of Morris. Burke has had an amazing season - he's Michigan best player, IMO - but he's not yet the set-up man that Morris was last year.
February 6th, 2012 at 11:21 AM ^
IMO we just need to institute a rule that THJ is not allowed to take any jump shots until he's taken the ball to the rack at least like 5 times. He's coming out cold and throwing up bricks and then his confidence gets shaken. He's got the athleticism to be a slasher. Get to the bucket and get the adrenaline flowing. Get a few easy shots and then the confidence will be there for the outside ones.
February 6th, 2012 at 11:58 AM ^
I'd like to see what would happen if Beilein told Tim that he gets 3 shots outside 10 feet, its up to him how he uses them.
I'd also like to see what would happen if Beilein told Novak that if he didn't take 5 shots/half he would ride the pine.
Michigan's ceiling might very well be lower with this experiment, but I'd bet anything Michigan would win more games.
February 6th, 2012 at 11:21 AM ^
Maybe the simplest explanation for THJ's troubles is that he isn't quite as talented and gifted as so many fans concluded after last season; perhaps his game is pretty limited right now.
Pair that with the fact that we still don't have much quality depth and it's not surprising that he's struggling. If Smotrcyz wasn't such a huge disappointment in conference play and could shoulder some of the scoring load, it might take some of the pressure off THJ.
What John Beilein has desperately needed since he got here but has been unable to find is his Glen Rice. As a soph, Rice shot over 56% and averaged 16.9 pts per game. As a senior, he shot a hair under 56%, shot over 51% from the 3, and averaged over 25 pts per game. When your offensive scheme relies so heavily on shooting from long range, you need guys who can put it in the bucket reliably, consistently, game in and game out, at home and on the road. Needless to say, those players aren't easy to find.
February 6th, 2012 at 11:27 AM ^
Tim Hardaway Jr. has not performed like an NBA prospect this season. Not even close.
But why is this even such a big deal? Tim came to Michigan as a lowly recruited three star. Nobody really anticipated him showing the potential he has.
Why, then is everybody so up in arms? So much pressure has been put on Tim to perform. But in reality, maybe it's the fanbase that is putting Timmy up on a pedestal rather than viewing him in the context of the team.
February 6th, 2012 at 11:39 AM ^
one NBA scout who is looking really close at Hardaway as an NBA prospect. I wonder what that feels like, to be judged against unrealistic standards, at every game you play, by a dad in professional capacity.
February 6th, 2012 at 12:34 PM ^
February 6th, 2012 at 11:43 AM ^
I am supremely happy with our recod this year especially in conference. When Morris declared I thought we were screwed.
I think we are 2-3 games higher on the poz side if Hardaway progresses even a bit vs regresses as he has done.
It only takes effort to play defense.
February 6th, 2012 at 11:46 AM ^
He thought that he would be the Alpha-Dog for the Wolverines coming into this year but it's Trey Burke time and I think the father situation is just adding more pressure to an already pressured situation. The problem is that Hardaway, possibly because of his father, seems more interested in showing that he belongs in the NBA than he does with helping his current team in the best way that he can.
Personally, I'm getting tired of his attitude, I think he needs to man up and focus on being a better team player for the Wolverines.
February 6th, 2012 at 12:12 PM ^
Dudes just in a slump. I agree about Burke. He's a different player than Morris. Trey can score more, but is still working on the distribution part.
February 6th, 2012 at 1:59 PM ^
What's interesting about Beilein's recruiting is that, although he gradually assembled a very nice team, he has yet to land a truly knock-down shooter. His WVU teams were absolutely filled with long-range assassins. At Michigan, Beilein has recruited guys with the potential to do the same. So far, though, they've been hit or miss (as it were). But, hey, there's still time.
February 6th, 2012 at 3:18 PM ^
It is pretty clear that THJ is playing with zero confidence right now. He just doesn't seem to be enjoying the game like some have mentioned. There may be pressure from family expecting him to have a huge season this year and go pro, but this shouldn't be an excuse. There are times where he just seems lost and doesn't know what is going on. He lets his poor shooting effect his defense which is why I think Belien lets him keep shooting as much as he does. THJ takes a lot of really poor shots and just seems concerned about stats and putting up points right now. I don't think his dad scouting him has had a negative effect on his game, but I think his dad needs to tell him the NBA can wait and to just go out and try and help your team win. Unfortunately, I don't think his dad is telling him the things he needs to hear to get his confidence up and to not worry about scoring. The NBA will be an available option in a few years and can wait. His dad should try and let him know that and tell him to just focus on getting better and everything else will end up well if he does this.
February 6th, 2012 at 3:22 PM ^
hate to be hard on the guy but he is just bad in every 1st half,he always turns the ball over, he doesn't play defense.I was yelling for coach to take him out the first half.