Tim Hardaway Sr. was a problem back in the day, but he’s not shy about suggesting he’d be an even bigger problem now.
Averaging a career-high 23.4 points per game at his peak, Hardaway went on record saying he’d average 40 points a night in today’s NBA and even likened himself to Stephen Curry.
“40, easy. I get to shoot 15 threes a game? I’m like Steph Curry. I’m like Steph Curry right now. It’ll be hard to deal with me right now.”
To be fair, Hardaway might have been able to increase his averages in today’s game, given the faster pace and greater emphasis on three-point shooting compared to his era. But 40 points per game? That’s entering uncharted territory. Even Curry, the greatest shooter ever to whom Hardaway likened himself, peaked at 32.0 points per game.
Of course, statements like these from former players aren’t new. Over the years, we’ve heard Shaquille O’Neal, Oscar Robertson, Tracy McGrady, and Kenny Smith, among others, talk about how they’d dominate in today’s game. Maybe it’s their competitiveness, ego, or they’re just being real. Either way, these cross-era debates are always speculative, but they never fail to keep fans talking.
