Tim Hardaway Jr. Says Celtics Are America's NBA Team, 'Definitely Not the Warriors'

Playing in the city of America's football team—the Dallas Cowboys—Mavericks guard Tim Hardaway has declared the Boston Celtics' as the nation's basketball team while appearing on Theo Pinson's "Run Your Race" podcast on Sunday.

The 11-year NBA veteran pointed towards the organization's historical success dating back to the early days of the league while eliminating current titans like the Golden State Warriors from the conversation.

"It's definitely not the Warriors," Hardaway said. "...I think it's Boston…I think Boston, they've been winning since the start."

It's difficult to argue with Hardaway as the Celtics are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers—who Pinson considers to be America's team—for the most championships in history at 17. The organization won 11 of those titles from 1957-1969.

However, the 21st century hasn't been as kind to Boston as it has managed to reach the top of the mountain just once since the new millennium, which came in 2008. That title came after a very ugly period in the 1990s and early 2000s.

And while their success is much more recent and Hardaway may not be ready to give them the title, the Warriors have certainly been the team of this generation, winning championships in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022.

The New York Knicks also got a shout from Pinson, which was the organization Hardaway started his career with.