Tim Hardaway joining Stan Van Gundy’s staff with Detroit Pistons
By Sam Richmond
Former NBA guard Tim Hardaway is the latest addition to Stan Van Gundy’s coaching staff with the Detroit Pistons.
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Hardaway was named to five all-star and five all-NBA teams throughout his 13-year career. Hardaway is leaving a scouting job with the Miami Heat to join the Pistons.
Hardaway told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that he is looking forward to his first coaching opportunity and working with Van Gundy.
"“I’m ecstatic,” he said by telephone. “It’s something I wanted to do. It’s all about teaching. I’m good at teaching and understanding players.”And he was comfortable with Van Gundy, who was an assistant coach during Hardaway’s time with the Heat. “Stan and I have great rapport,” Hardaway said. “[Heat president] Pat Riley said it’s a great thing for me and he’s happy for me.”"
Hardaway added that it was difficult to leave the Heat, for whom he owns the franchise record for three-pointers and has his No. 10 jersey retired with.
"“It’s going to be hard, going to be sad [to leave the Heat],” he said. “There will always be a big place in my heart for the Heat, Micky Arison, Pat Riley. It’s bittersweet.”"
Hardaway is entering a pretty good situation with the Pistons. While the team won just 29 games this past season, Van Gundy is one of the most well-respected coaches in the NBA and Hardaway will surely benefit from working under him.