When asked his opinion of Tim Hardaway, Michael Jordan said the following: “One of the most dangerous players in the league, a truly classy player with great skills.”
Such high praise from the game’s greatest player is uncommon. When one looks back at the career of the original king of the crossover dribble, a legendary, trendsetting pioneer who brought a streetball element to the NBA hardwood, one must agree with MJ’s assertion.
Not to be confused with another legendary Hardaway who played for a different Florida-based NBA franchise, Timmy 2-Step took the NBA by storm in the late 80s and early 90s era with his incredible quickness, excellent ballhandling, court vision, IQ, and floor leadership, and a style and flare that is to be respected and appreciated.
Part of Run TMC along with fellow Warriors players Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway helped lead the team from California’s San Francisco East Bay deeper into the Western Conference Playoffs, ultimately making a name for himself as one of the game’s premiere point guards. While small in stature compared to NBA giants of the era, Timmy stood tall, unapologetic, unafraid, and would not back down, often charging his way deep into the teeth of physically imposing, tough, interior team defenses. One of Hardaway’s most memorable moves came during a hard drive to the basket in Phoenix, when, after being fouled by Sir Charles, loudly exclaimed “In yo’ face!” letting Barkley and everyone else at America West Arena in Phoenix know that he had arrived.
Hardaway took his talents to South Beach, who along with fellow NBA All-Star Alonzo Mourning and legendary head coach Pat Riley, helped transform the struggling Miami Heat franchise into an Eastern Conference powerhouse and championship contender.
A 5x NBA-Star, former All-NBA First Team selection, and becoming the second-fastest player ever to reach the 5,000 points and 2,500 assists mark, Tim Hardaway’s legacy has been firmly cemented in NBA history.
So, too, has his kicksology. Throughout his career, Timmy wore many memorable Nike Flight basketball models including the Air Bound, Air Go LWP, Air Zoom Flight, Air Turbulence, and Air Maestro. While largely associated with the 1997 Nike Air Bakin, Timmy’s first signature sneaker came in 1998 with the debut of the Air Zoom T-Bug Flight. Later in his career, he rotated among several models including that seen here, the 1999 Nike Air Determination.
Part of the Nike Flight collection, the Determination was a model which employed lightweight construction including a Phylon midsole and an innovative asymmetrical lacing design. Interestingly, the Determination featured Air Max cushioning, a departure from Tim’s previous models which featured low-profile Zoom Air. Timmy’s custom PE pair came in a red/black Miami Heat colorway and featured custom embroidery of both his # 10 and “MEE” in honor of his late grandmother.
Also, of note, the Air Determination was also worn on court by Penny Hardaway and Jason Kidd of the Phoenix Suns and Nick Anderson of the Sacramento Kings during the 1999-2000 NBA season and playoffs.
An underrated, underappreciated model that finally takes center stage once again. The 1999 Nike Air Determination: aggressive, bold, unique, and avant-garde. Loud and in your face, just like the man who wore them nearly 20 years ago.
The Nike Flight Dimension lives on.
