"When the game is on the line, you have to wrestle him for the ball" - Chris Mullin on playing with Tim Hardaway in the clutch

Every star player is asked to be able to deliver during crunch time in the NBA. Not every player has that in himself, and some of them shy away from opportunities when the game is on the line.

It is much easier to be on your A game when the stakes are lower, and this is what separates average players from great ones. One of the players who lived for those moments was Tim Hardaway . Known for his killer crossover, he was a force to reckon with in the 90s.

Oozing with confidence

"Tim Bug" started his career in the Bay with the Golden State Warriors. There, he was paired with Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin . Despite being the youngest member of the "Run TMC" trio, Hardaway was not afraid of the big moments; in fact, he lived for them.

"When the game is on the line, you have to wrestle him for the ball," said Mullin. "He's got the most the most confidence I've ever seen in a human being."

"Mully" was not wrong, as Tim consistently delivered for his teams in the clutch. He carried this with him after he was traded to the Miami Heat. There, the UTEP product helped lead the young and talented Florida team to the Conference Finals, but they fell short against the Bulls dynasty.

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MJ was also impressed with Hardaway

Despite playing in one of the best eras in NBA history and competing with prolific guards, he made a name for himself. Even during his college years, Michael Jordan noticed him during a short scrimmage. "His Airness" liked what he was seeing from the young guard and gave him a compliment he took to heart and carried with him in the pros.

"Mike said, after the game, he said, 'Good game.' He looked me in my eye and said, 'You got a chance. You got a chance,'" Hardaway shared .

Having the right mindset in the crunch is key, any big game player has to have unique combination of skills and mental toughness to deliver. Hardway had ice in his veins, and his peers knew that.

Related: Hardaway talks about Chris Mullin being one of the most underrated players in NBA history: "I saw him make 100 threes in a row"