The Detroit Pistons lost two major pieces of their playoff rotation from last season to Western conference teams this offseason: Dennis Schroder and Tim Hardaway Jr. Schroder’s impact in half a season and his departure have been a debated topic amongst Pistons fans, but Hardaway was a much more beloved player. Hardaway will first return to Detroit on February 3rd as a member of the Denver Nuggets.
Tim Hardaway Jr. served as the Pistons’ starting shooting guard for a large portion of last season after Jaden Ivey went down with an injury. He was a great locker room presence who encouraged the younger players while playing his typical sharpshooting role.
Since leaving the Pistons in free agency, Hardaway has said positive things about the team and organization. He gave a lot of credit to the coaching staff and Isaiah Stewart in particular for reinvigorating a winning culture after years of tanking.
Detroit Pistons' schedule: Tim Hardaway Jr's homecoming
THJ endeared himself to Pistons fans last year not only with his shooting and leadership, but also his defense. He bought in enough on that end to be respectable and allow the Pistons to excel as a team.
His shooting was also key to the Pistons, especially in the playoffs when Cade Cunningham and Malik Beasley went cold. Even when others were missing, Hardaway hit some big shots and even found himself in the middle of the Pistons’ most controversial play (and non-call) of the season.
Hardaway is also a fan favorite in Detroit because of his collegiate career at the University of Michigan from 2010-2013. The team went as far as the National Championship game in his final college season.
Funnily enough, the Piston guarding him might very well be his collegiate teammate Caris LeVert. Both are penciled in as one of the first guys off the bench for their respective new teams, and play similar positions.
Hardaway’s replacement on the Pistons’ roster for next season isn’t readily obvious. But the team is likely hoping that Jaden Ivey coming back from injury will provide them an upgrade at shooting guard. It is worth noting that Ivey actually shot the ball from distance better than Hardaway last season, but Ivey is a bit smaller and gives more back on defense.
There shouldn’t be any bad blood between Hardaway and the Pistons, but it will still be a bittersweet matchup against a familiar face who helped turn the franchise’s fortunes around in his lone Pistons season.