Hardaway was sweating, shaking as he learned Hall of Fame news

Share

Tim Hardaway was the final member of the Warriors’ Run TMC trio to make the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, but he almost didn’t want to take the call last week that made it official. 

Hardaway, who played for the Warriors from 1989 to 1996, spoke with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Bonta Hill along with Chris Mullin and Mitch Richmond on Thursday and shared exactly how he heard the news last week.

Hardaway said he received an email a few days prior that John Doleva, the president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, would be giving him a call at noon on a Monday.

“I see the time,” Hardaway said. “It’s 11:50. I’m like, ‘Oh lord, oh lord.’ Twelve o’ clock, I’m shaking. I started sweating. I’m like, ‘Oh lord.’ Then at 12:02, the phone rings.

“And I’m really shaking. I didn't even want to answer this phone call. I really didn’t want to answer the phone. Then I said, ‘Alright, let me go ahead and get this over with.’ John said, ‘I got some better news than I had previously,' and I was like 'Ahh.’”

Hardaway said he was “just numb.” He then called his wife and kids before dialing Richmond and Mullin, telling the news to the other two members of Run TMC even before his parents. 

Related: How Mully found out Hardaway was elected to NBA HOF

It’s been a long wait for Hardaway, who retired in 2003, to finally make it to Springfield. Mullin was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2011, while Richmond got the call in 2014.

But it only seemed a matter of time before Hardaway, who made five All-Star teams and an All-NBA First Team in 1997, would get the nod.

And it only seems right that all three members of the brief, but memorable, Run TMC days have earned their place in basketball lore.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Contact Us