Tim Hardaway Jr. microwaved the Heat.
The Nuggets’ veteran shooting guard came off the bench Wednesday night, scoring 18 points in 24 minutes in Denver’s 122-112 win over Miami at Ball Arena.
“He’s such a weapon, and he can shoot so easily and quickly,” coach David Adelman said. “It’s a big deal. You know, a lot of teams have that level of athleticism these days, including Miami. But a guy who drops the ball that quickly and takes it away, that’s a big deal. And not to mention the fact that he really knows how to play. Tim fits in perfectly.”
Hardaway became Adelman’s first go-to player off the bench. Could he become the Nuggets version of Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson?
For those too young to remember or not steeped in NBA history, Johnson was a member of the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons who won back-to-back titles in 1989 and ’90. He was nicknamed “the Microwave” for his uncanny ability to come off the bench cold, warm up quickly and go on a scoring spree.
That’s what Hardaway did Wednesday night. He made a season-high four 3-pointers. He had at least one triple in all seven games. He’s averaging 11.3 points (49.1 percent shooting), 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 23.3 minutes per game as the Nuggets prepare to host the Warriors on Friday night.
“I’m just trying to make an impact in any way I can,” the 13-year NBA veteran said. “I think I said it better after the last game. With the guys we have coming off the bench, it could be any of us on any given night. … But when the opportunity presents itself, you’ve just got to take it and take it.”
Although Denver’s season is still in its early stages, Hardaway could be the spark it needs beyond the 3-point line. The Nuggets have been last in the NBA in 3-point attempts for two straight years. Part of this is due to their style of play, but they need an outside threat. Hardaway shot a solid 36.8% from beyond the arc last season with the Pistons, averaging 5.9 3-point attempts per game. He is therefore capable of burning his opponents.
When it remains open, it is deadly. He sank 48 percent of his 148 “wide open” (closest defender 6 feet) 3s last season, according to league data.
Hardaway is making $3.63 million this season, the veteran minimum for a player with 10 or more years of experience. He could prove to be a steal for the Nuggets, even if some of his shots “are a little crazy.”
That’s how three-time MVP Nikola Jokic characterized Hardaway’s style.
“He wants to be good, and that’s something he’s maybe faking,” Jokic joked after the match. “That’s what I see, he’s really trying to understand and play the right way, and I think that’s why good things happen to him.”
Forward Aaron Gordon praised Hardaway.
“He’s a pro,” Gordon said. “Just a high IQ player on and off the field who knows the game inside and out.”
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