“Those MFFL Fans, That’s Real.” Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas Mavericks proving perfect fit

What does this mean for Dallas?

What this means is that the Dallas Mavericks should consider it an absolute imperative to re-sign Hardaway. If the organization intends on committing to the burgeoning growth of the franchise, look at the numbers and trust this will only gain steam as Hardaway, Dončić, and Porziņģis enter their primes. For Hardaway, at 28, there isn’t much time to get selfish with goal-setting.

“I just want to win, man. I just want to win,” Hardaway implored. “One thing (I learned) about this league, me being a part of the Atlanta Hawks in my third or fourth year, is if you win, everybody wins, whether it’s an individual award,” he said, snapping his fingers, “if you are winning and you are succeeding, your whole team follows by example. Everybody gets in order,” he clarified.

When the Knicks traded Hardaway to the Dallas Mavericks, they didn’t know what they were giving up (nothing unusual). Neither he nor many Mavericks fans anticipated that Dallas could become his NBA home. He had bounced from New York to Atlanta, to the G-League, back to New York, and suddenly Hardaway saw his name in trade headlines as he was on his way to Texas. Wherever home was, Hardaway felt far from it. In a divine intervention of sorts, New York deeming him a ‘throw-in’ might be what helps him find a home after all.

Dallas has undoubtedly enjoyed the spoils of Kristaps Porziņģis, but good luck finding anyone in the #MFFL fanbase who would call Hardaway a ‘throw-in’ now. He feels the love – and he wants to reciprocate it. As the critical component of the best offense in NBA history, Hardaway is comfortable, and even starting to feel like he might be at home.

His contract, once seen as a payroll eyesore, is now one of the better bargains in the league – and he is likely to decline his option with one year remaining. If and when that happens, Mavericks fans can expect Mark Cuban to be ready with his checkbook. The interest is definitely mutual. Hardaway can see a long future in Dallas. And in case anyone wonders about his favorite part of being a Maverick, that’s an easy answer for him.

“The fans, man. The fans, the excitement. The excitement, it’s crazy. Those MFFL fans, that’s real. It just shows me down the road, they’re gonna support us 100%, no matter what,” Hardaway told Hoops Habit.

Just how far down the road?

No one knows yet, but an answer is likely coming soon.