In a sign-and-trade, Miami traded Tim Hardaway to Dallas for a 2nd round
draft pick in 2003 or 2004.  Hardaway was first signed to a 3 year, $11.3
million contract, with the 3rd year at Dallas' option.  Dallas used the
trade exception they received from the Howard Eisley trade to make this deal
work.  Miami received a trade exception for making the trade [if you trade
away more $ than you get in return, you get a trade exception].

While I do like the addition of Hardaway, I still wish the Mavs would have
been patient and tried to signed him to a minimum contract instead of using 
the exception.  Hardaway brings veteran experience and will backup Steve 
Nash as point guard.  There will be times, as Nelson loves to do, where Nash
and Hardaway will be on the court at the same time.  Except for a brief time
during the 95-96, this will be the first time where Hardaway's job will be
backup point instead of starting point.  The soon to be 35 year old is on
the downside of his career and has some injury problems, but actually 
played more minutes last season than he would have liked as coach Pat Riley
felt he need Hardaway on the court to win.  Hardaway did play in 77 games
last season, but missed 1 of the 3 Heat playoff games and only played
limited minutes in the other 2 due a bruised bone in his left foot.  He
likes shooting from the outside as he attempted 517 3-pointers last season -
he does shoot a good clip as he has shot 35.6% 3-pointers for his career.  
He averaged 6.3 assists last season and 8.6 assists for his career.


Don Nelson: "We feel really good about getting Tim Hardaway.  He is the 
quality of player we want to help us not just in the regular season but 
also in the playoffs."
 
Del Harris: "There's no doubt that Tim's style of play really fits Nellie.
That's been proven in the past with their years together in Golden State."
 
Tim Hardaway on his role in Dallas: "I will be coming off the bench, a wily
veteran brought here to provide leadership.  To try and help the team take
the next step.  I will be coming into the game and settling it down and
getting into the offense.  Talking to the guys out on the court to make
them understand that the first shot is not the best shot."
 
Hardaway: "My role is just coming in and trying to help the team the best I
can.  That's all.  No more, no less."
 
Hardaway: "I will lead by example.  If they ask me question I will tell
them what I know.  I will be here early working hard and staying late.  I
will show them on the court how hard I work.  These guys are already to the
halfway point.  They know what it takes to win and they are out there doing
it already."
 
Hardaway on how close Dallas is to a championship: "It is very close.  I
can see the hunger in their eyes.  Most guys when they go to the playoffs
they do not play in the summer.  I hear Dirk is playing overseas.  I hear
Shawn Bradley is playing overseas.  Michael Finley, Juwan Howard, and I are
playing in Chicago.  I hear about Steve Nash with Canada.  Most guys will
not do anything in the summer to make themselves better.  These guys are
already achieving what they should achieve.  Keep playing, get stronger,
get better and come back and go a little bit further and try to make it to
the Championship.  That is what their goal is this summer and I see it
already."
 
Hardaway: "I wanted to come where I would help a team out that is on the
rise.  These guys love to play the game.  If you watch how they pass the
ball to each other.  If you watch how they play with each other.  If you 
watch how much fun they have out there with one another it is really fun 
and I am really going to enjoy this."
 
Hardaway on his relationship with Nelson in Golden State: "He embraced me
like a father would embrace his son.  I did the same to him, like a son
would embrace his dad.  It was a beautiful relationship."
 
Hardaway on his health: "I can run.  The wheels feel great, 100%.  You can
ask Mike Finley and Juwan Howard what I'm doing out there in Chicago.  We
play on the same team all the time, and we get up and down the floor with
the best of them.  Even with the young guys.  It is no different.  I can
still get up and down.  I am very happy to be here."
 

patricia