Tim Hardaway Jr. on Playing With Giannis and Bam: ‘My Job Is to Make Their Job Easy’

Tim Hardaway Jr. signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Miami Heat this offseason, and he already has a clear idea of what his role will be: get out of the way and let the big guys eat.

The 34-year-old guard spoke to reporters Wednesday and laid out his philosophy for playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. It’s not complicated. He wants to make their lives easier.

“My job is to make their job easy,” Hardaway said. “Bam was very great at dribble handoffs, setting guys up, the shooters coming off, getting separation, and being able to get their shot off. And if the big comes up, drop it off to Bam or Giannis and letting them do what they do best.”

He acknowledged that building chemistry will take time. But once it clicks, he sees the offense flowing naturally.

“It’s gonna take time,” Hardaway said. “It’s gonna be a lot of fun.”

On paper, Miami might have the best frontcourt in the league. Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP who can bully his way to the rim, grab every board in sight, and guard anyone from the arc to the paint. Adebayo is a versatile scorer who stretches the floor and brings elite defense and rebounding. Together, they demand so much defensive attention that shooters like Hardaway should find themselves wide open from three more often than not.

Hardaway is coming off a solid season with the Denver Nuggets, where he played 80 games and averaged 13.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. He shot 44.7% from the field and 40.7% from deep — numbers that suggest he can still be a reliable off-ball threat. For a team that traded for Antetokounmpo and is trying to maximize that window, having a vet who knows his role matters.

Miami’s offense will run through the bigs. That’s not a secret. Hardaway’s job is to be the outlet, the spacer, the guy who punishes defenses for doubling. He’s done it before. And after years of playing off the ball in Dallas and Denver, he knows the assignment.

Whether the Heat can turn paper talent into real chemistry remains to be seen. But Hardaway sounds like a guy who already knows his line. It’s just about running it.