NBA
Penny Hardaway Was the Greatest Magic PG Ever
Hardaway's 6 years in Orlando consisted of 4 All-Stars, 3 All-NBA, and the franchise SPG record, making him Orlando's best Point Guard ever
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Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway was selected third overall in the 1993 NBA Draft out of Memphis. Hardaway quickly became a sensation, as he was a member of the All-Rookie team in ’93-’94 and was selected to the All-Star game the next four seasons. Hardaway was also was on an All-NBA team three of those four years. In 1995, Penny and Shaq led the Magic to their first conference title, but they fell to the Rockets in the NBA Finals. A year later, Shaq signed with the Lakers, and during the 1999 offseason, Penny was traded to Phoenix.
Penny Hardaway dealt with injuries for much of his career, as he hardly ever played in all 82 games, and in the 2000-01 season, he only played in four games due to having left knee surgery. Unfortunately, he never returned to the caliber of play that he had in Orlando, never averaging more than 10 PPG after 2003. He retired after one season with Miami in the 2007-08 season.
RELATED: Ranking the 5 Greatest Players in Orlando Magic History
Penny Hardaway's ranks in #Magic history:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 19, 2021
- 1st in career SPG (1.9)
- 1st & 2nd season SPG (2.3/2.2)
- 1st & 3rd in season STL (190/166)
- 3rd in career STL (718)
- 3rd & 4th in season AST (582/551)
- 4th in career AST (2,343), PPG (19.0), & APG (6.3)pic.twitter.com/zbsO55JpaD
PENNY HARDAWAY IS THE GREATEST POINT GUARD IN ORLANDO MAGIC HISTORY
While Hardaway struggled on the Suns, Knicks, and Heat, he was one of the best in the game while first playing in Orlando. He consistently led them into deep playoff runs and had the potential to win a championship if it weren’t for Jordan and the Bulls. Before knee injuries derailed his career, Penny Hardaway had the potential to be one of the greatest players of his era. However, his legacy is still cemented as the greatest Point Guard in Orlando Magic history while forming an all-time duo alongside Shaquille O’Neal.
RELATED: Ranking the 5 Greatest Players in Orlando Magic History
Penny Hardaway's career resume:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 19, 2021
- 4x All Star
- 2x All-NBA 1st Team; 1997 3rd Team
- 1994 All-Rookie 1st Team
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Penny Hardaway's ranks in #Magic history:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 19, 2021
- 1st in career SPG (1.9)
- 1st & 2nd season SPG (2.3/2.2)
- 1st & 3rd in season STL (190/166)
- 3rd in career STL (718)
- 3rd & 4th in season AST (582/551)
- 4th in career AST (2,343), PPG (19.0), & APG (6.3)pic.twitter.com/zbsO55JpaD
Most career SPG in Orlando #Magic history:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 19, 2021
1. Penny Hardaway (1.9)
2. Darrell Armstrong (1.7)
3. Victor Oladipo (1.6)
T4. Tracy McGrady & Nick Anderson (1.5)
pic.twitter.com/Mm3WWzjulT
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