Tim Hardaway claims a healthy Penny Hardaway possessed the versatile scoring and defensive prowess to rival Michael Jordan’s dominance and trade MVP trophies throughout the 1990s.
NBA legend Tim Hardaway offered high praise for Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway during a recent appearance on FanDuel TV’s "Run It Back," claiming the former Orlando Magic star was on a trajectory to rival Michael Jordan before injuries derailed his career. Hardaway, who competed against Penny during the height of the 1990s, argued that a healthy Penny would have consistently vied for the league's top individual honors.
During his six-year tenure in Orlando, Penny Hardaway averaged 19 points, 6.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game. The 6-foot-7 point guard is best remembered for his versatility on both ends of the floor and for his role as the dynamic partner to the legendary Shaquille O’Neal.
Although the Magic did not win a championship during his era, Hardaway and O'Neal were responsible for putting Orlando on the map as a premier basketball city. By establishing himself as a franchise legend, Hardaway left behind one of the greatest legacies in Magic history.
When Tim Hardaway took "Run It Back" he described his experience playing against the talented guard in his prime.
“Hey, I tell you, man,” Tim Hardaway said. “I played against Penny. I'm gonna tell you, man, if Penny didn't get hurt, him. And Michael Jordan would be like, one two MVPs in the league, one to two MVPs in the league. That's, that's way, that's how Penny was. Penny could shoot, defend, rebound, pass. He was a, he was a, I mean, like magic, but he could score. You know, I need you to score 30. I need you to score 40. I need for you to have 15 assists. I need for you to have, you know, 12 rebounds. Penny would have done that. Penny would have came out and gave you that and would have won the game, like in game sevens or game six. That's how good Penny was.”
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