Hardaway backs Warriors

The crossover debate has been rampant in the National Basketball Association for many years now. Tim Hardaway Sr, Allen Iverson and Jason Williams have all of engaged in a battle of supremacy and attempted to outdo the other.

While Williams has preferred to stay away from the debate, Hardaway and Iverson have never minced words on who executed the famed move better.

Dubbed ‘Mr Crossover’ Hardaway, who has turned out for a host of reputed teams from 1989 to 2003, revealed how it all came about and why Williams had been second best.

“It came through loads of practice and ideating on my game. Was playing one-on-on when it just happened. Didn’t look up to anyone for the crossover. It just happened.

“I think, after me, Jason Williams did it better. To me, (Allen) Iverson just carried the basketball. That’s the truth of it,” said Hardaway at an NBA promotional event here on Thursday.

In a sport where height is viewed as one of the biggest assets, Hardaway, all of six feet, made heads turn with his sparkling moves and shooting abilities.

Snared up by the Golden State Warriors in the 1989 Draft, Hardaway went on to carve a successful career and turned up against greats, the likes of Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan. In recent times, there have been many comparisons made between Jordan and LA Lakers’ LeBron James and Hardaway believed the former was undisputedly in a different class.

“Michael Jordan! It’s as simple as that. He got six championships and no losses. I have played against Jordan and it was really great to play against someone that competitive.

The point guard also predicted that the Warriors were primed for a hat-trick of NBA titles.

“I don’t think the Warriors can be stopped this season as long as they stay healthy. The Celtics, Raptors and Bucks can match up but can’t beat them.”

Hardaway is in India as part of the NBA’s programme to popularise the sport further and coach children at the NBA Basketball School in Mumbai.