5x NBA All-Star recalls Pat Riley's eventual approval of Nike Air Bakin with controversial logo
Former Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors star Tim Hardaway Sr. recalled the time former Heat's coach Pat Riley wasn't fond of his shoe due to a specific symbol. During an interview with All The Smoke on Sept. 26, the NBA legend touched on his Air Bakin shoes and why Riley wasn't feeling them.
Per Hardaway, the shoes had a Muslim symbol, which didn't sit well with Riley. He tried to prevent Tim from wearing them, but the player did it anyway and ended up having a good game.
"The only reason I couldn't wear them was because they got some type of Muslim symbol on them," Hardaway said. "I was wearing the bakins one day in practice at shootaround in New York, and Pat was like, 'Hey man, Tim can't wear those shoes in the game.
"I don't want him wearing those shoes in the game.' And I kind of overheard him talking to the equipment manager so after shootaround, I grabbed my own shoes and took them back and brought them back and I had 'em ready to go for the game.
After having some words with the equipment manager over the Tim Hardaway situation, Riley let it go. The legend posted a good performance, and the Heat won, leading Riley to hype up Hardaway's shoes.
"After we won, Pat was like, 'I'm so glad you wore those shoes.'"
Hardaway played in Miami from 1996 through 2001, averaging 17.3 points, 7.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game in 367 contests. He wasn't around when the team won its first NBA championship, but his impact was undeniable in the mid to late 1990s and early 2000s.
Pat Riley called out Jimmy Butler after trash-talking Celtics, Knicks in 2024 playoffs
Years after transitioning into an executive role, Pat Riley remains in close contact with players and still has some words for those who try to cross the line. After Jimmy Butler was recorded claiming he and the Heat would have sent the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks home in the 2024 NBA playoffs, Riley had a clear response to the All-Star swingman.
“For him to say that, I thought, is that Jimmy trolling or Jimmy serious?” Riley said. “If you are not on the court playing against Boston or playing against New York, you should keep your mouth shut.”
Fortunately, these remarks didn't cause any rift between Pat Riley and his star, as they're keen to make another championship this season.