DALLAS -- Tim Hardaway couldn't hide his smile as he described the differences between Pat Riley, the coach he's leaving, and Don Nelson, the one he's joining.

	Hardaway

"One guy is very laid back and another guy is very, very, very, very intense -- very, very intense," Hardaway said, not needing to clarify which was which. "One guys lets you go out there and play your game and let's you have fun and the other guy likes to put the reins on and control the game a lot.

"That's why I'm here -- to let me loose, let me go."

Hardaway's declaration of independence came Thursday at his introductory news conference with the Dallas Mavericks.

Dallas acquired the point guard Wednesday in a sign-and-trade deal with the Miami Heat, his team the last 5½ seasons. He received a three-year contract worth about $10 million.

Although Hardaway was respectful toward Riley and Miami, he was disappointed to have left Florida without a title.

"It was a great run," he said. "It was fun, the fans were great, the organization was great. But as both parties agreed, it was time to move on."

The Mavericks were Hardaway's first and only serious option. He loved the idea of being reunited with Nelson, his first NBA coach, and being part of a young, run-and-gun team like they had a decade ago in Golden State.

Hardaway was the T in the Run TMC trio that also featured Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin. Together, they put up lots points and wins, and made the Warriors fun to watch.

He sees similarities with Dallas' Michael Finley, Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash. That trio blossomed last season, leading the Mavs into the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1988.

"All three of them can shoot and all three of us could shoot," Hardaway said. "All three of them can penetrate and make things happen and all three of us could do the same thing. And Nellie's the coach of both teams."

San Antonio ousted Dallas from the playoffs by forcing the Mavericks into turnovers and sloppy shots. Those are the kinds of situations Hardaway -- whose 52 games of postseason experience are easily tops on the club -- will be counted on to prevent.

The five-time All-Star understands and accepts that in Dallas he'll be an elder statesman, not the main man. He's been told to expect 18 to 22 minutes per game in the regular season.

"You'll see I'm still Tim Hardaway," said Hardaway, who turns 35 next week and has battled leg and foot injuries in recent years. "I can still make things happen out there."

Hardaway pronounced himself completely healthy.

"I am in shape, I am going to be in tip-top condition," he said. "My weight will be down, is down. You don't have to be worrying about that. I won't be out there looking like Oliver Miller."

Hardaway also is excited about playing with Finley and Juwan Howard, his offseason playing partners in Chicago, where they're all from.

He remembers calling Finley a few years ago when Nelson took over the Mavs and telling his pal he was going to have the best time of his career. "He's going to let you go," Hardaway told Finley.

When Howard was traded to Dallas last season, Hardaway called and said, "This is going to be great for you. It's going to rejuvenate your career."

They got to return the favor Wednesday.

"They came and hugged me and welcomed me aboard," Hardaway said. "They embraced me like family."