Penny Hardaway Magic refers to the time when Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway played for the Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Hardaway joined the Magic in 1993 after being selected with the third overall pick in the NBA Draft. During his time with the Magic, Hardaway formed a dynamic duo with center Shaquille O'Neal. Together, they led the team to great success and became one of the most exciting and dominant duos in NBA history. Hardaway's combination of size, skills, and athleticism made him a versatile player who could play both as a point guard and shooting guard. Hardaway's ability to handle the ball like a guard while having the size of a forward made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Comment: Quick; provides offense off the bench.
In the Magic s final preseason tuneup, in London against Atlanta, Hardaway had his best game, scoring 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor and 7-of-8 from the line, and adding four assists and three steals. So for all the fans that have rocked out with us, cheered with us, that are rocking with us, through wins and losses, cheering us on, fighting for us and staying loyal, thank you so much.
Hardaway's ability to handle the ball like a guard while having the size of a forward made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. He was known for his flashy playmaking and court vision, often making no-look passes and alley-oop assists to O'Neal. Hardaway's creativity and skill on the court earned him the nickname "Penny" and endeared him to Magic fans.
Magic counts on Penny
Throughout the summer, Orlando Magic fans figured rookie Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway was it _ the missing ingredient.
Surely, with Hardaway, All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal and improving swingman Nick Anderson, the Magic would earn its first playoff berth. Not in two or three years. Now.
Who needs Chris Webber?
"It's a lot of pressure," said Hardaway, a 6-foot-7 All-America guard from Memphis State whose flamboyant ballhandling and passing skills have evoked comparisons to Magic Johnson. "But I just have to go out there and be myself and play hard."
Hardaway has earned a starting spot for tonight's season opener at Miami, but his transition from college hero to budding NBA superstar hasn't been easy.
When the Magic traded the rights to Webber, the first overall pick in the June draft, to Golden State for the rights to Hardaway and three future No. 1 picks, many of the 10,000 fans at the Orlando Arena booed.
Then came the laborious contract negotiations, during which Hardaway's agents demanded the team trade a high-salaried player such as Dennis Scott or the popular Scott Skiles so their client could receive his "fair-market value."
On the eve of training camp, Hardaway signed a 13-year, $65-million deal, which included a $1.243-million first-year salary, a $20-million loan and a performance-out clause. He was in camp from the start, and expectations soared.
"He's energized our team like no one I've ever seen," Magic player personnel director John Gabriel said at the time.
But during the Magic's preseason home opener against the Heat, Hardaway came off the bench and struggled. With about two seconds left in the first quarter, he eschewed an opener jumper for a pass underneath _ right to the stomach of Miami's Matt Geiger.
Hardaway again was mercilessly booed.
"It's crazy," he said after that game in which he had four points and six turnovers. "I'm not the type of player who will put down someone who's working hard. I went to training camp and worked my a-- off to try to win for these people and for my team. I don't need negativism from people who are supposed to be supporting the team."
Learning three positions _ shooting guard, point guard and small forward _ compounded the problem for Hardaway. Many expected him to come into the NBA and assume the point, his college position.
"Of course that's harder," he said. "I'm a rookie. This is all foreign to me."
His career hit a turning point two days later against the visiting Detroit Pistons.
Hardaway, who started for the first time _ at shooting guard _ but hadn't scored yet, drew a foul from Sean Elliott midway through the third quarter. When he missed his first free-throw attempt, some fans booed.
Their derisive chorus was drowned out by thunderous cheers.
"I feed off the fans and they gave me an uplift," he said later.
He made the second free throw and hit 5 of 6 field goals down the stretch, including a finger roll over Elliott, an all-star last year, and a one-handed alley-oop dunk.
"He was a different player tonight," Magic coach Brian Hill said.
Actually, he was the same _ as he was at Memphis State. For the first time as a pro, Hardaway said, he "got it back" and was able to relax. An errant pass didn't dissuade him from trying another no-look pass.
"I think a lot of rookies try to keep from making mistakes, and that's when you make a lot of them," he said. "Once I get over that phobia, I'll be all right."
Hardaway has been a fixture in the starting lineup since that game and has improved with each outing.
In the Magic's final preseason tuneup, in London against Atlanta, Hardaway had his best game, scoring 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor and 7-of-8 from the line, and adding four assists and three steals.
"Ever since the first day we put him in the starting lineup, he's gotten more comfortable and more confident," Hill said. "Obviously, he's playing much looser out there. He's more into the flow of what we're doing offensively and is more active defensively.
"He's an instinctive basketball player who makes everyone on the floor a better basketball player. There's no way we can keep someone with his abilities off the floor."
Hill said he prefers Hardaway at shooting guard, allowing him to learn gradually the more difficult point guard role as the backup to Skiles.
"At this point, that doesn't bother me," Hardaway said. "Scott's doing a great job. Leave him there. I just want to help the team win."
But can Hardaway put the Magic over the top?
The team finished a franchise best 41-41 and just missed the playoffs, losing a point differential to Indiana by five.
"He's a great player and will be a great player for many years," said San Antonio coach John Lucas, a former point guard and the top pick in the 1976 draft. "The day they made the trade and got the pick, I thought that was the best thing they ever did."
Orlando Magic roster
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt.
25 Nick Anderson F/G 6-6 220
Comment: Strong, quick, can shoot and rebound. Small forward.
14 Anthony Bowie G 6-4 200
Comment: Quick; provides offense off the bench.
1 Anfernee Hardaway G/PG 6-7 200
Comment: Can shoot, penetrate, pass, rebound; tenacious defense.
11 Litterial Green PG 6-1 190
Comment: Confident in his passing and shooting; will be third PG.
34 Greg Kite C 6-11 263
Comment: Classic banger. Not much offense. Will spell O'Neal.
42 Larry Krystkowiak F 6-9 240
Comment: Good short jumper, adds needed toughness inside.
32 Shaquille O'Neal C 7-1 301
Comment: Imposing inside presence. Must improve FTs.
5 Donald Royal F 6-8 210
Comment: Good shooter, fearless on drive; adds depth.
3 Dennis Scott F 6-8 229
Comment: Deadly long-range shooter; will come off the bench.
4 Scott Skiles PG 6-1 205
Comment: Dependable ballhandler; can shoot; a feisty competitor.
55 Keith Tower C/F 6-11 250
Comment: Not much offense; another tough inside player.
31 Jeff Turner F 6-9 244
Comment: Good perimeter shooter. Must help more on boards.
14 Anthony Bowie G 6-4 200
During the 1994-1995 season, the Magic made it to the NBA Finals, with Hardaway playing a crucial role in their success. However, they were ultimately defeated by the Houston Rockets. Hardaway's time with the Magic was unfortunately cut short due to injuries, preventing him from reaching his full potential and achieving even greater success with the team. Despite his shortened tenure, Hardaway's impact on the Magic and the NBA cannot be understated. His exciting playing style and chemistry with O'Neal helped put the Magic on the basketball map and establish them as a competitive team in the league. Hardaway's skills and popularity also translated to off-court success, as he became a sought-after marketing figure and had his own line of signature sneakers with Nike. In conclusion, Penny Hardaway's time with the Orlando Magic was a memorable period in NBA history. He showcased his immense talent and helped elevate the team to new heights. Though his career was plagued by injuries, his contributions to the Magic and his impact on the game of basketball cannot be denied. Penny Hardaway Magic will always be remembered as a special era for both the player and the team..
Reviews for "The Enduring Legacy of Penny Hardaway's Sneaker Line"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Penny Hardasay Magoc." The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it difficult to follow along. The characters lacked depth and I found it hard to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was choppy and disjointed, making it a struggle to read. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "Penny Hardasay Magoc" was a complete waste of time. The story was convoluted and the author seemed to jump from one idea to another without any clear direction. The dialogue was unrealistic and stilted, making it difficult to believe in the characters' interactions. The book was also filled with grammatical errors and typos, which only added to my frustration. I regret spending my money on this poorly written and poorly executed novel.
3. David - 2/5 stars - I really struggled to finish "Penny Hardasay Magoc." The pacing was off, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing through others. The plot twists and turns were predictable, leaving me feeling bored and unengaged. The author's attempt at humor fell flat and the jokes felt forced. It's unfortunate because the premise had potential, but the execution fell short. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written read.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was not impressed with "Penny Hardasay Magoc." The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development, which made it difficult for me to care about their journey. The writing style was also repetitive and monotonous, with the author overusing certain phrases and descriptions. The story felt contrived and lacked originality, following predictable tropes that have been done before. Overall, this book did not live up to my expectations and I would not recommend it.