Anfernee Hardaway

I know we've discussed it before, but the story of Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway just gets sadder.

Consider some of his finest seasons:

1994/95:
20.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 7.2 apg, 1.69 spg, 51% FG, an All-Star appearance, helped the Magic to a 57-25 regular season record, and an appearance in the NBA Finals. All NBA First Team selection.

1995/96:
21.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 7.1 apg, 2.0 spg, 51% FG, an All-Star appearance, helped the Magic to a 60-22 regular season record, and an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. All NBA First Team selection.

1996/97:

20.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.6 apg, 1.58 spg, an All-Star appearance, helped the Shaq-less Magic to a 45-37 regular season record and a near upset of the second seeded Miami Heat. All NBA Third Team selection.

Beyond the stats, we know him as an immensely talented player, at one point touted as the next Magic (in terms of ability and style of play) and the next Michael (in terms of superstardom).

Since 1996, Penny has only played in every game once; and that was the lockout-shortened 1998/99 season. A couple of years ago he played in 80 games (starting 55), but he's no longer Option #1 or Option #2 on the team.

He's appeared in all 32 of the Suns' games this year, but he's only started 10 times. He's playing around 25 minutes per game, with averages of 8.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 2.9 apg. If he was playing around 35 minutes per game, those averages would be a little better. Per 48 minutes, he's averaging 16.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 5.5 apg, as well as 1.7 spg.

It seems that he's fallen out of favour in Phoenix, playing about half a game mainly as a spark plug off the bench. His best game came against his former team: 22 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals in a 105-98 Phoenix loss. Penny started that contest, playing 42 minutes.

To me, that suggests that Penny can still play, given the opportunity. Granted, that's only one game, but I still feel it suggests that given the time, he could be posting solid numbers and playing a much larger role than veteran spark plug off the bench.

If this is the extent of his role in Phoenix, then perhaps he could be given an opportunity elsewhere. The Charlotte Bobcats might be interested in a player such as Hardaway. His veteran leadership, combined with the fact he can still play given half a chance, should make him appealing to an expansion franchise. He would also give them a "name" player, which is important for a new team trying to establish an identity and prove that it belongs in the world's best league. In return, Penny would get a fresh start and a chance to prove that he isn't washed up.

If you asked me whether I thought he could become the Penny of old, I would be fairly quick to say "highly unlikely". But I'd like to see him salvage what was once such a promising career. Like Grant Hill and Shawn Kemp, two other stars of the 1990s, he's missed his chance of being included in the upper echelon of NBA stars. But I believe he can still be a significant player in the league, rather than going down in history as another "Whatever happened to...?" player.

Your thoughts?

Hardaway's knees are shot, he's lost almost all of his explosiveness and quickness that he had back in the day. He's also on the backside of his career so his numbers should be dropping, amazingly they haven't dropped too much over the last three years, he's been pretty consistant. Hardaway is currently best off the bench because he can play three positions almost equally. He's gained his some of shooting back after his missed 2000-01 season and he is still one of the best rebounders at his position because of his size. But his turnovers have been extremely high in the last couple of years because he appears to be forcing passes where he used to just let them flow. His drop in quickness and such as well as spending more time at SG and SF hurts him because defenders no longer have to watch for his speed and size advantage like they did when he played the point in Orlando. His passing and ballhandling ability still lets him to operate as a point at the two guard slot and that allows Marbury to play as even more of a scorer.

However, one area Hardaway is still stellar is in his defense. He is extremely smart defensively and he still is 6-7, the Suns were 4th against Shooting Guards last season and a lot of that was Hardaway. But since he's on the downwind of his career, he does have bad knees and he's untradable makes it unlikely he will wind up somewhere else. The Suns could expose him to the Expansion Draft but I doubt the Bobcats will bite on his massive contract (when they have so many to choose from) and the Suns would very much miss his defense and ability to play three spots. I doubt Casey Jacobsen would be able to replace the hole left on the wing.

I loved watching Penny play. He always had that "cool" style of play. It didn't always look like he had that drive, but you knew he was competitive and he loved the game. He was cool like guys like MJ and Kobe, but he had that relaxed style like T-Mac. That's what I always thought.

I went to a Miami game on Spring Break two years ago, where the Heat were facing the Suns. I was ten rows away from the Phoenix bench, and some guys a row in front of me were taunting him. During a timeout, they were like, "Hey Penny, why aren't ya playing?" And surprisingly, Penny looks up and just shrugs at him, saying "I don't know," in sort of a joking way. I thought that was rather interesting.

I'm happy to see that he didn't have that type of Grant Hill type of career and he's back his feet, after being hurt from injuries for some seasons.

EARLY PENNY


PENNY NOW

Soon, you can add Vince Carter to that list of "What ever happened to that guy?"

I wouldn't have expected you to think that of the Vinsanity. Personally, I think Vince is far from being another Grant Hill/Anfernee Hardaway.

I wouldn't have expected you to think that of the Vinsanity. Personally, I think Vince is far from being another Grant Hill/Anfernee Hardaway.

Andrew Mah Man, just look at the numbers. Even though VC has his health so far this season, his statistics are plummeting. He's shooting 42% from the field which is not very good for a guy who has a career FG% of 45%. He's averaging 22.2 PPG for a guy who has a career average of 25 PPG and is averaging a career high in turnovers. I don't know what it is, maybe it's that impenetrable zone defense that teams play against us for the entire game or the fact that VC has been labeled as "soft" and due to that fact is regularly shunned by the officials. Even though he hasn't lost a bit of popularity as he continues to lead All-Star voting once again, his numbers continue to drop.

Point taken. But he is healthy (unlike Hill), and he hasn't been reduced to veteran backup (like Penny). He might not be getting closer to the status he was being primed for pre-injuries, but he's got a fairly long way to fall.

But while we're on the topic, should Toronto look to deal him?

Point taken. But he is healthy (unlike Hill), and he hasn't been reduced to veteran backup (like Penny). He might not be getting closer to the status he was being primed for pre-injuries, but he's got a fairly long way to fall.

But while we're on the topic, should Toronto look to deal him?

Well first of all, we need to be sure if the huge responsibility of "Franchise Player" can be put upon the shoulders of 19-year-old Chris Bosh. Just like the development of Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler is very important to the Bulls, the development of Bosh is tremendously important to Toronto since we have no other significant post threats. I don't think we should trade VC, Carter is the identity of the Raptors. I can't even think of all the good things he's done for the franchise, I mean before 1999, who knew that there was a Toronto franchise in the NBA? LOL! Right now, I'm still not sure if we should deal him or not but I'm pretty sure my mind will be made up by the end of the year.

like DipSetVC mention...VC has explosiveness and athleticism but if he injures too much it will hurt his explosiveness of dribble and altheticism...but if VC doesn't get injured he can be a awsome player...but now he's not the player he was in the 2001 playoffs

That's been the criticism of Vince Carter from his second season onwards: his ability to be "The Man". We know he's talented and capable of not only amazing highlight reel dunks but also great performances, but questions remain about his aggressiveness, his killer instinct and his ability to take the Raptors onto his shoulders. I've seen writers opine that he'd be better off as a second fiddle.

I think Vince can be a franchise player, but he needs to boldly accept that role. Who knows, down the road Bosh might be the better choice, but for now Vince remains the best player on the Raptors' roster.

I compare Vince to Dominique Wilkins, a highlight reel player who is better than people give him credit for, but is a little behind the other stars of his time.

That said, if he's not working out for the Raptors, he would fetch a pretty good player should they decide to trade him. How would you feel about Kobe Bryant moving to Toronto? If Kobe wanted to go to the Raptors rather than stay in LA (where he's leading scorer but still second to Shaq), the Lakers could re-sign Kobe and trade him for Vince. Vince could handle the second fiddle role, while Kobe has his own team.

It's unlikely it would happen, but would it be appealing to you?

like DipSetVC mention...VC has explosiveness and athleticism but if he injures too much it will hurt his explosiveness of dribble and altheticism...but if VC doesn't get injured he can be a awsome player...but now he's not the player he was in the 2001 playoffs

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH...Good Times....Good Times....

Penny had a good game today, 20 points.

He also played 35 minutes. Even with bad knees, I think he can post decent numbers if he's consistently given 30-35 minutes per game.

I think penny should be traded to a team that is need of a pointguard. IMO he plays well when he's the one handling the ball like the old magic ways. The suns should start him at point and switch marbury to SG. Btw it's not only VC having a bad year TMAC too. It's just sad that the zone defense takes away the one-on-one ability of these players and making them shoot those lazy jumpers.

Yeah it's a real shame about anfernee. I think suns should start him, he's more of a role player than Joe Johnson. Joe would be a better spark off the bench, if joe plays too many minutes he just gets into a rut and shoots badly... they should just use him off the bench to come hit a few jumpers for 5 minutes, then throw him off again imo. But then again, Penny aint getting any younger and it would be good for Joe to get more experience at starting SG.

Speaking of Penny, does anybody remember that movie called 'Blue Chips'? It has Penny and Shaq in it. I hired it the other day hehe... (Y)

This Toronto Raptors fan can only hope that VC can return to form because he's easily a top 5 player in the NBA when his game is on (See 1999-2002 for proof).

Speaking of Penny, does anybody remember that movie called 'Blue Chips'? It has Penny and Shaq in it. I hired it the other day hehe... (Y)

I remember it. One of my all-time favourite basketball movies.

Coach's Ex-Wife: Neon, please don't step on the children.
Shaq: Okay!

Penny was 1 of the players that got me into watchin the NBA.. i remember watching him in his cool orlando jersey.. Young team, fun to watch, good at every position.
Penny, Nick Anderson(he was like Lenard), Dennis Scott(3 point specialist with decent def), Horace Grant(In his prime), Shaq

It got me into the NBA.. especially him being all young and cool.. Every little kid wanted to play point guard... He was NBA First team... he had his own shoes.. and a very often used nickname..

I followed Penny throughout his career.. when he just arrived to phoenix.. he was doing great i remember he earned player of the month? i fink.. averging 20 points 6 rebounds and 7 assist and 2 steals without Jason Kidd .. He had a bad start b/c he was rusty.. then in the playoffs he led Suns past the Spurs but he injured his knee on a dunk over David Robinson.. and then he kinda faded away.. and completely lost his airness/quickness.. Right now i can see him getting 32-35 mins doing 15 points 6 assists, 4 rebounds...

I want him get traded to a playoff team that needs a point guard.. He is always undercontrol and he is getting his jumpshot back and plays decent def.

I want to see penny goto the bobcats, that'd be great to see i reckon.
he may get sum numbers like 17/6/5 or usmfin, coz he can still play superbly.
shame hes getting benched for a guy who will shoot 50% one game, then go 1-13 or sum shit the next!!!

McDyess will probably turn out to be like Penny, great player, but injuries took some of his game away.

It's just sad that the zone defense takes away the one-on-one ability of these players and making them shoot those lazy jumpers.

No, what's sad is that these players can't hit the jumpers. Running isolations and going one-on-one is boring and stupid. Passing the ball around trying to find a hole in defense, that's good times. And I doubt it's the zones fault since Kobe and McGrady both scored in bunches last season against zones. McGrady's best offensive and most impressive weapon is his jumper and it's just not falling this year like it did in the past.

Nick Anderson(he was like Lenard)

Not really. Voshon Lenard is a jump shooter, Nick Anderson was best taking guards into the post.

I want to see penny goto the bobcats, that'd be great to see i reckon.
he may get sum numbers like 17/6/5 or usmfin, coz he can still play superbly.
...
I want him get traded to a playoff team that needs a point guard..

I'm sorry but like I said, I'm pretty sure he won't be landing on any other teams. I doubt anyone wants a 33 year old with bad knees who will get payed over $15 million a year for the next two years. Plus he's too important to Phoenix.

Yeah, and Gugliotta's fat contract will come off the cap after this season, and they will likely get a top draft pick... Phoenix a major player next season?

They were supposed to be this year...but year before same thing happened...got Amare...now if they could land a nice center for the first time in team history I would definately consider them to be. With Marbury and Barbosa at the point, Johnson, Jacobsen, Marion and Hardaway on the wing, Amare, Carbakapa, White, Voskuhl and "Roster Center" up front they could be a pretty solid (and talented) club.

You forgot about Donnell Harvey, he played tonight and had 10 points and 5 boards in 15 mins... I consider Jerry Colangelo one of the best talent evaluators in the league...

Yeah, but the suns definately need Amare to come back asap! Anybody knows how long he will be out?