Tim Hardaway Sr. is not only a former five-time All-Star point guard and hated member of the Heat. He’s also a Heat scout, and yesterday stated his son, Tim Jr., was undervalued in the draft.
That’s good news for the Knicks, who on Thursday night tabbed the younger Hardaway with the 24th pick of the NBA Draft to rousing cheers at Barclays Center.
The Michigan junior shooting guard averaged 14.3 points to help the Wolverines reach the NCAA title game.
“As a scout, I felt he really wasn’t able to show his full talents,’’ the chatty elder Hardaway said yesterday at the Knicks’ practice facility. “He was the veteran of the team, the leader of the team. He had to make sure everyone else does their job and does it well. It hampered his game a little bit.
“If he would have went out there and been selfish and done his own thing, they wouldn’t have made it to the championship game.’’
Had the younger Hardaway been taken at No. 20 by the Bulls, the Knicks would have chosen Reggie Bullock. If he wasn’t there, Glen Rice Jr., another famous father’s son, was next in line.
The Hardaways had flashbacks yesterday while walking the hallways inside the Tarrytown facility when they saw a framed picture of Allan Houston making the epic, buzzer-beating shot to knock the Heat out of the 1999 playoffs. Houston is now the Knicks assistant general manager.
“It’s very ironic,’’ the elder Hardaway said of his son now being a Knick. “The years I played and the rivalry we had, now it’s coming full circle. My son is going to play for the Knicks. I’m very happy for him. It’s not about me. It’s about him. It’s about him being happy.
“I can root for the Knicks even though I work for the Heat,’’ said the father, who also is Miami’s community relations liaison. “When they play against us, I don’t know what I’m going to do.’’
The younger Hardaway was 7 years old, sitting inside the old Miami Arena, when Houston broke the Heat’s hearts.
“I remember the game-winning shot,’’ said the younger Hardaway, who will wear No. 5. “I was sitting across the bench from Miami. [Houston] went fullcourt, front of the rim, the backboard and went in. All I can see is Allan running down the court pumping his fists. That’s what I remember. It was a historical moment.’’
“I walked through the building here and saw [a picture of] Allan with the shot,’’ the elder Hardaway said. “I can remember that shot like it was yesterday. Of course, the Knicks in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 was our rivalry. To get chosen here, it goes out the window.
“Rivalries aside, it’s a real good fit for him,’’ the father said of the son. “To come into an established team that needs help in shooting the ball and athleticism. … He’s long, athletic, can play some defense. It’s another piece to the puzzle for them.’’
The Knicks needed perimeter help in the draft, especially with the uncertain futures of free agents J.R. Smith, Chris Copeland and Pablo Prigioni.
The younger Hardaway surpassed his father’s height by the time he was 13, and admits he’s nothing like him. He got his height from his mother, Yolanda, who is 5-foot-10.
“I’m definitely not the same as my father,’’ the younger Hardaway said. “He’s short and stubby. He’s 5-11. I’m 6-6. We play two different positions. One shoots better than the other. One handles the ball better than the other. He can tell you right now there’s no comparison at all.
“You got to go out there and make a name for yourself. That’s what he wants me to do. That’s what I want to do.”
The draftee said he’s looking forward to manning the perimeter with Carmelo Anthony.
“It’s going to be an honor,’’ the younger Hardaway said. “He’s one of the best top five players in the game. Unbelievable scorer.
“It’s a blessing to be in this situation. A lot of guys don’t have an opportunity to play with veterans. You definitely want to take advantage of that opportunity, especially for a team that’s starting to make the playoffs consecutively. You have a chance to do something special and want to be part of it.”
The younger Hardaway said he knew he aced his Knicks workout. His shooting was exemplary.
“I got a great vibe from the coaching staff,’’ he said.