Tim Hardaway spends a lot of time on the basketball court at his home these days. It's the one place where things still feel normal. The former NBA star has seen his life become far from normal since making anti-gay remarks on a South Florida radio show in February. After almost nine months of silence, Hardaway said he believes it's time to speak out.

"I just want people to understand that it's time for me to get back out there. I've been in a shell long enough," Hardaway told Local 10's Will Manso. While Hardaway was in hiding, his family was healing from the negative backlash he received following his words. Hardaway said he has finally come to grips with the impact of his comments.

"I went to counseling and talked to a lot of people. I hurt a lot of people. A lot of people. I'm here to make amends. I'm here to tell folks that it was wrong for me to tell people what I said," said Hardaway.

Hardaway spent time at the Yes Institute in Miami, an educational center that focuses on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. It was there where Hardaway discussed his feelings toward gay people. As a kid he would laugh at gay kids who were considered different. He said he never took the time to try and understand them.

Between visits to the Yes Institute and time away from the public spotlight, Hardaway said he hopes he can start convincing people he has learned his lesson.

"A lot of people think I'm saying this because I want back in the NBA. But, I'm saying this because I want to make it right. I'm trying to make everyone understand that I was wrong. I can admit my fault," Hardaway said.

Convincing the public is a tough task, but Hardaway said he had a bigger task before then, convincing his 15-year-old son Timmy things would be fine. "He (Timmy) has gay friends. I tell him they are people too. I never had a conversation (about the topic) before all of this came out. When I said those comments, he was upset too because he has gay friends. I saw the toll it took on him," Hardaway said.

Hardaway said he doesn't want to shy away from his mistake in the future. "I'm not scared to talk about it. I can talk to people about it. I'm not going to shy away from questions. I'm more educated about the topic and I can have dialogue with you about it," he told Manso.

The former all-star isn't trying to make a comeback at 41. Instead he told Local 10 he's hoping to get a job as an assistant coach or scout.