Tim Hardaway’s career is often remembered as a perfect blend of flair, skill, and fierce competitiveness. He was a point guard with a unique style, blessed with incredible ball-handling abilities, quickness, and a deadly jumper. His trademark “UTEP two-step” crossover was the stuff of legend, a move so effective that even defenders who knew it was coming couldn’t always stop it. Hardaway was one of the most electrifying players of the 1990s, a true floor general who could take over games as both a scorer and a facilitator. But in today’s NBA landscape, which is flooded with an abundance of elite guards, the question arises: would prime Tim Hardaway still get an All-Star nod if he played in the current era? To answer that, we have to analyze his game in detail, compare it to the modern style of play, and assess how he would fit into the league as it stands now.
First, it’s important to consider the evolution of the point guard position. In Hardaway’s era, the position was already starting to shift from being primarily about distribution to being about scoring and playmaking. Players like Hardaway, Gary Payton, and Kevin Johnson paved the way for the scoring point guard model that would later be perfected by players like Allen Iverson and Steve Nash. Today, the league is filled with point guards who not only run their offenses but also serve as primary scorers. The likes of Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Ja Morant, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominate games not just by passing but by putting up 25 to 30 points on any given night. Hardaway’s offensive mindset was already ahead of its time, and this is one of the reasons why his game would likely translate well to today’s NBA.
Hardaway was a career 18-point-per-game scorer, but his peak years with the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat saw him averaging over 20 points per game. His 1991-92 season, in particular, was remarkable as he averaged 23.4 points and 10 assists per game, which would certainly be All-Star caliber numbers by any standard. In today’s NBA, where the pace is faster and offensive systems are designed to create more scoring opportunities, Hardaway’s stats would likely improve even further. He was an exceptional pick-and-roll player, and with the heavy reliance on the pick-and-roll game today, he would thrive. Modern spacing would give him even more room to operate, allowing his deadly mid-range and three-point shooting to shine.
Speaking of shooting, while Hardaway was not known as a three-point specialist in his era, he still managed to knock down 35.5% of his career three-point attempts, which was quite respectable at a time when the three-point shot was not as heavily emphasized as it is now. In today’s game, with access to advanced shooting coaches and analytics, Hardaway would almost certainly increase his three-point volume and percentage. His quick release and confidence as a shooter would allow him to adapt seamlessly. Given the way players like Lillard and Curry have stretched defenses with their deep shooting, it’s easy to imagine Hardaway expanding his range as well, making him even more dangerous.
One of Hardaway’s greatest strengths was his ability to break down defenses with his ball-handling. His crossover dribble was arguably the most devastating move of the 1990s, and it would still be just as lethal in today’s NBA. In fact, considering how defenders today are less physical due to stricter hand-checking rules, Hardaway’s ability to create space off the dribble would be even more pronounced. He would be able to get to his spots and create scoring opportunities with relative ease. Players like Kyrie Irving and Ja Morant have shown how elite ball-handlers can still dominate the game in the modern era, and Hardaway would fit right into that mold.
Defensively, Hardaway was a scrappy and capable defender, though not necessarily elite. At 6 feet tall, he would face some challenges guarding bigger and more athletic guards in today’s NBA. The league is filled with taller point guards like Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who have the size advantage over traditional smaller guards. However, Hardaway’s quick hands and competitive nature would allow him to hold his own. He was never one to shy away from a challenge, and while he might not be an All-NBA defender, he could still contribute defensively, especially with the support of modern defensive schemes that rely on team rotations and switches.
The biggest challenge for Hardaway’s All-Star candidacy in today’s NBA might simply be the level of competition. The guard position is currently loaded with talent. In the Western Conference alone, players like Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, Devin Booker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Ja Morant are vying for All-Star spots. In the Eastern Conference, you have Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton, Jalen Brunson, Trae Young, and Donovan Mitchell, among others. Making an All-Star team as a guard today is arguably harder than it has ever been due to the sheer depth of talent. Would Hardaway’s game stand out enough in such a crowded field? The answer likely depends on the context of his team’s success and his individual performance.
Hardaway was always at his best when running fast-paced offenses, such as those under Don Nelson’s Run TMC era in Golden State alongside Chris Mullin and Mitch Richmond. In today’s NBA, if Hardaway were placed in a similar up-tempo system with shooters surrounding him, he could easily replicate or even surpass his peak statistical output. Imagine him as the lead guard for a team like the Golden State Warriors or the Sacramento Kings, both of which prioritize pace and space. With his quickness, vision, and scoring ability, he could easily average 22 points and 8 to 9 assists per game, numbers that would almost certainly warrant All-Star consideration.
Another factor to consider is how the All-Star selection process has evolved. Fan voting, player votes, and media votes all play a role, and popularity matters just as much as performance. Hardaway was a charismatic and exciting player with a style that fans loved. His flashy crossover and willingness to take big shots would make him a highlight-reel regular on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, which would only enhance his All-Star chances. Players like Ja Morant have gained popularity not just because of their stats but because of their jaw-dropping highlights, and Hardaway would generate that same buzz.
It’s also worth comparing Hardaway to some of today’s All-Star caliber guards. For example, he shares some similarities with Damian Lillard in terms of scoring mentality and ability to take over games, though Lillard is a better deep shooter. He also has a lot in common with Chris Paul as a floor general who can orchestrate an offense while still being a scoring threat. If players like Brunson and Young can earn All-Star selections by averaging around 25 points and 7 assists while leading their teams to competitive records, Hardaway could certainly do the same.
One could argue that the modern NBA would actually enhance Hardaway’s game. The pace of play today is much faster, with teams averaging more possessions per game than in the 1990s. This would give Hardaway more opportunities to score and assist. The spacing created by the three-point-heavy offenses would also allow him to exploit one-on-one matchups even more effectively. Furthermore, the modern emphasis on skill and finesse over physicality would play right into Hardaway’s strengths as a crafty and creative guard.
Of course, there is the question of durability and longevity. Hardaway did have some knee issues later in his career, which impacted his performance. In today’s NBA, with advancements in sports medicine, recovery, and load management, it’s possible that he would have been able to extend his prime and maintain peak performance for a longer period of time. That alone could boost his chances of becoming a perennial All-Star in the modern era.
