A fixture at Alonzo Mourning's side when the Miami Heat made its move into the NBA elite in the late 1990s, former point guard Tim Hardaway will next move alongside Mourning in the rafters at AmericanAirlines Arena.
The Heat announced Thursday that Hardaway will become the second of its players to have his number retired, with his No. 10 to join Mourning's No. 33 above the Heat's home court in a ceremony prior to the team's Oct. 28 regular-season opener against the visiting New York Knicks.
With Mourning and Hardaway joining the Heat during the 1995-96 season, the team's first under then-coach Pat Riley, the Heat quickly moved to the top of its division and found itself in a series of dramatic playoff series against the Knicks.
"When you think about the Miami Heat organization and the 20-plus years that the franchise has been in existence, there are always going to be those names that have helped develop the taproot and foundation for what we hope to be a long tradition of success here in Miami," Riley, now team president, said in a statement. "Alonzo Mourning was one. His jersey now is hanging from the rafters in the AmericanAirlines Arena. Tim Hardaway is another, who today we are proud to announce will have his jersey retired on opening night against the New York Knicks.
"We feel that Tim has been one of those building blocks and one of those players who has done us proud and we feel he is most deserving of having this special honor on this particular night."
Hardaway ranks as the Heat's all-time leader in assists (2,867), 3-pointers (806) and 3-pointers attempted (2,263). The University of Texas-El Paso product also ranks among Miami's all-time leaders in field goals attempted (fourth), double-doubles (fourth), points (fifth), field goals made (fifth), free-throw percentage (fifth), steals (fifth), double-figure scoring games (fifth), free throws made (seventh), free throws attempted (eighth), games started (eighth), minutes (eighth), games played (10th), defensive rebounds (11th), total rebounds (13th), field-goal percentage (16th) and three-point percentage (16th). He also owns the Heat single-season assist record, recording 695 in 1996-97.
In announcing the franchise's plans to pay homage to the team's past, Riley last season said a series of player jerseys would be retired once Mourning received his recognition.
The only jerseys other than Mourning's hanging at AmericanAirlines Arena are those of former NBA legend Michael Jordan and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino. Those jerseys, which Riley said stand as a tribute to athletic excellence, hang separately from the Mourning jersey, as well as the jerseys commemorating the Heat's 2006 NBA championship and its divisional banners, and one in honor of long-time, now-retired trainer Ron Culp.
Hardaway, Mourning and current franchise leader Dwyane Wade also have been honored with banners at AmericanAirlines Arena commemorating their Olympic participation.
Hardaway might have had his jersey retired sooner had it not been for anti-gay comments made on a South Florida radio station while serving as an NBA ambassador during the 2007 NBA All-Star Game. He has since apologized for those remarks and has taken an active role in fighting such prejudices.
A South Florida mainstay, Hardaway makes regular appearances at AmericanAirlines Arena and has been involved in numerous community efforts.
Over his 13-year NBA career, Hardaway was a five-time NBA All-Star and five times was named All-NBA. He became the first Heat player to earn All-NBA honors when he was chosen to the first team after leading the Heat to a franchise-record 61 victories and its first-ever conference finals appearance in 1996-97.
Among his other honors, Hardaway was selected to the NBA All-Rookie first team in 1989-90 while with the Warriors, won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team in the 2000 Sydney Games, where he teamed with Mourning, and also was as a member of the 1994 U.S. team at the World Championships.
In all, he appeared in 867 regular-season games with the Heat, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers, averaging 17.7 points, 8.2 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.65 steals and 35.3 minutes while shooting .431 from the floor, .355 on 3-pointers and .782 from the foul line. The Chicago native ranks among the NBA's all-time leaders in 3-pointers attempted (4th), three-pointers made (7th), assists (13th) and steals (39th).
In 56 career playoff games he averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.57 steals and 36.6 minutes while shooting .393 from the field, .320 on 3-pointers and .751 percent from the foul line.
Originally selected with the 14th overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft by Golden State, he was acquired by the Heat from the Warriors along with Chris Gatling on Feb. 22, 1996 in exchange for Bimbo Coles and Kevin Willis.
