New Penny Article

[thegrahamcrackr]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=smith_sam&id=1666630

Thursday, November 20, 2003


By Sam Smith
Special to ESPN.com

PHOENIX -- Penny Hardaway got a new tattoo this summer. It reads "The Storm is Over."


But the winds of doubt still haunt the former three-time, All-NBA player, the LeBron James of a decade ago who is tethered to the bench in Phoenix, a forgotten role player who wants people not only to remember who he was but to know he can be someone again.


"It's been like a nightmare to me," Hardaway said. "I'm in the best physical shape since I've been in Phoenix. I feel like I can play point guard for any team in the league and average a double-double. I still have a lot to offer. I have a window of opportunity. I'm 32 and I have three or four great years of basketball left in me. I want a shot at being the Penny Hardaway everyone knew five years ago, but I feel I can't do that here. They've moved on here. They've got Joe Johnson and Casey Jacobsen and I feel like the organization is kind of giving up on me and doesn't think I can come around."


Hardaway isn't exactly demanding a trade or going to make a fuss. He appreciates the generous contract he got from the Suns, who pay him $13.5 million this season and about $30 million additional through the 2005-06 season. He knows no one feels sorry for rich basketball players, so he's not seeking sympathy. Just the ball.


He once had it, and when he did, there were few better. He was All-NBA first-team point guard in 1995 and 1996, a Magic Johnson-like player who filled up the box score. With hops and one of the best advertising campaigns ever, the Lil' Penny alter ego, he was the Next In Line. But Hardaway was struck down by five knee operations, most of which he played through with uneven results. The NBA moved on.


Hardaway doesn't have the explosiveness anymore, but he still can shoot, pass and run a team. He says doctors have told him his healing is complete.


"I don't want to retire early, sit on the bench and get a check," Hardaway said. "I want to finish my career on a high note. I was as popular as you can be -- All-NBA, Olympian. You couldn't get any higher than where I was. Now people think I'm done and washed up. They think if you're coming off the bench it means you can't play anymore. You get 14, 16 minutes, they figure you can't do anything anymore. But it's not the case. I'm competitive, athletic and I feel spry again. I can show that to people. I just don't feel I can do it with the Suns."


Anyone need a point guard?


There's that money thing, $13.5 million this season, $14.6 million in 2004-05 and $15.8 million in 2005-06. In this more economically aware era of the NBA, teams are reluctant to take on big contracts, especially for players averaging 5.6 points and 1.4 assists, as Hardaway was entering this week.


But it's hard to to average double figures with about six shots a game and playing 18 minutes, as Hardaway has this season as a forgotten man for the struggling Suns. Hardaway knows what they say when you don't play and your team doesn't win: There must be something wrong with him. He must be done.


Like they said about Vin Baker.


"I was on one leg trying to survive," said Hardaway, who missed 24 games last season but just two the season before after surgery. "When I was injured, all the negative press was warranted. I deserved it. I was trying to be a team guy, playing hurt. I never took two years off to try to get fully well like Grant Hill. I was getting paid. I could have taken off. I wasn't able to run full speed. I was in terrible pain. I endured all that. Now it's time for me to go back to those glory days again. I can run and jump and score. Not being able to prove it hurts the most.

"I can play the game," Hardaway added. "I want my respect back. I'm happy for Vin Baker. That's the type of story you want to hear, coming back and showing everyone who was down on you. I worked my butt off to get back that old form, but I'm not able to have the chance."


So is it real or is it just a memory?


Hardaway was something to behold when he and Shaquille O'Neal went to the NBA Finals in just his second NBA season. They appeared to be the next great NBA dynasty in the making with Michael Jordan in retirement. The media and advertising world fell for Hardaway, a bright, articulate young man with an even more impressive game. O'Neal had become taken with him when they worked on the movie "Blue Chips" together and recommended the Magic draft him. And Hardaway didn't disappoint, averaging more than 20 points, seven assists and four rebounds by his second season. He was as versatile of a performer as there was in the NBA.


But Jordan returned, the Magic were swept out of the playoffs by the Bulls, O'Neal swept himself out of Orlando as a free agent to the Lakers and Hardaway and the Magic -- poof! -- disappeared. There were a couple of first-round playoff ousters, a .500 season, a coaching change that Hardaway was said to inspire, feuds with the media and a community frustrated over the decline of the then-model franchise.


Hardaway seemed to regain his game in the strike-shortened 1998-99 season, playing all 50 games and leading the Magic to a tie for first place. He averaged 15.8 points and more than five rebounds and five assists per game.


The Suns came calling in the first flood of free agency under the new rules and Hardaway pocketed a maximum deal. He was to pair with Jason Kidd in a millenium backcourt to take the team and the league into the next century. The Suns would have their greatest playoff success since by defeating the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, who were without Tim Duncan, and going to the second round. But Kidd would miss much of that playoff run with an injury.


And then Hardaway went down again for the next season, and there wouldn't be another chance.


"They gave Jason and me one year to prove ourselves," Hardaway said. "After that one year, it was like, 'We're not waiting for you anymore. We're moving on as an organization.' I'm not being negative. It's what it is. No one thought I'd be able to come back after the injuries I had. People think I'm soft and bailed out on basketball. But it was five knee surgeries. ... It's not Frank's (Johnson) fault or Bryan's (Colangelo) fault. I worked my butt off to get where I am. The doctor said I was a medical marvel.


"I'm a team guy," Hardaway added. "I don't want to make any waves. I'm being the professional, but I have dreams and wishes, too. ... I want to have a shot at being Penny again. I feel I can't have it here. ... I still have the skills, and I have the maturity from learning this game. The storm should be over."

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I hate sam smith. It was a decently written article, but there was no need for it. All it does is restart controversy for this team.

I like he quote about not asking for a trade.

I don't know what the purpose of this article was then. If you want more playing time, that is something you talk about inside the organization. If you are going to complain to the media, it is usually local media on after game quotes and such.


A full article by a horrible journalist is just screaming "Trade me while I can still play"




If hardaway would waive his player option for the last 2 years of his deal he would get his wish most likely. I remember a couple years ago he refused to do that saying he earned that money. One way or the other bud, sit on our bench and get 14 mil a year, or go to someone elses with no guaranteed money.

 

[SweetD]

I respect Penny for not making waves but cut your contract and get on another team for a year and see if you can make it. In all fairness he did earn the contract and he does have the option to collect. Personaly I wish the Suns would have put a termination clause in the contract along with every contract. Penney needs to decide if he wants a chance or is willing to take the money. Personal I would stay with the money. Even if he did great he will never make that much in the NBA again.

 

[elindholm]

EVERY SINGLE YEAR he says that he was hurting the previous year and played through it, and how he's "finally" healthy again. Every freaking year. It is unbelievable.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Oh I agree SweetD. He did deserve the contract at the time, and he defintely has the right to keep that 30 million (which I would do myself)

However, he either needs to accept whatever role is given to him and keep his mouth shut to the media, or waive his player option so he is tradable.

 

[Joe Mama]

The problem is that Hardaway himself is only telling one side of the situation. He is crying that he can't prove himself on this Phoenix Suns team, but he never says in there that the reason he is stuck with the Suns is that he wants his money.

I actually hope that Hardaway starts getting more time. I wouldn't mind seeing him in the starting lineup. I say this from a financial point of view. The Phoenix Suns are paying Penny Hardaway no matter what the next three seasons. However by giving Joe Johnson all of displaying time and opportunity they are increasing his value. Since they are already stuck paying Hardaway they should try to get as much out of him as possible.

Joe Mama

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
The problem is that Hardaway himself is only telling one side of the situation. He is crying that he can't prove himself on this Phoenix Suns team, but he never says in there that the reason he is stuck with the Suns is that he wants his money.

I actually hope that Hardaway starts getting more time. I wouldn't mind seeing him in the starting lineup. I say this from a financial point of view. The Phoenix Suns are paying Penny Hardaway no matter what the next three seasons. However by giving Joe Johnson all of displaying time and opportunity they are increasing his value. Since they are already stuck paying Hardaway they should try to get as much out of him as possible.

Joe Mama

As much as it seems to be a fantasy world, do you think it's possible that by not playing Penny, he might actually change his mind and not exercise the option on his contract next season? Can you imagine? Penny and Googs BOTH gone? Crap, welcome to Fantasy Island!

 

[Cheesebeef]

Seriously - Hardaway holds his future in his own hands - the guy has made enough money by now that he could 10 lifetimes and he has a player option coming up - he thinks he can still play - opt out of your contract - go into free agency - see if anyone else thinks you can still play and then once you get on a team prove it to the rest of the league! Besides - he has to be delusional to think his contract can be moved and that his own insistence that he deserves to be paid 15 million dollars by any team doesn't hurt him - I mean, does he think anyone is willing to pay ANY 32 year old 5-time knee repaired shooting guard 15 million dollars? If he wants to play - he should be a man, opt out of his contract and prove with another team on a short-term deal that he can play - otherwise shut up and keep working on your game.

 

[matt_whitlock]

Personally, I don't know what he's so mad about. I mean, people said he played the most effective game without a point ever last game.

If that doesn't just scream "next Jordan!" I don't know what does.

(Now, this is a joke. If you don't find it funny, just don't laugh. Wiring my car to explode when I turn the key in the ignition will not be necesary.)

 

[elindholm]

I mean, people said he played the most effective game without a point ever last game.

I thought one person said that.

And however many people said it, they were wrong. I remember at least one game in which Dennis Rodman played all 48 minutes without scoring a single point, and you can bet he was very effective.

 

[matt_whitlock]

I thought one person said that.

Actually, somebody said something like that on these boards too. You know, just because somebody isn't employed by a website doesn't mean their opinion doesn't count.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by matt_whitlock
Actually, somebody said something like that on these boards too. You know, just because somebody isn't employed by a website doesn't mean their opinion doesn't count.

No, the time it was quoted on this board, was just that--a quote, from an article that Joe Gilmartin wrote. I like him, but he is easily the biggest homer in the city of Phoenix.

 

[matt_whitlock]

Originally posted by elindholm
I mean, people said he played the most effective game without a point ever last game.

I thought one person said that.

And however many people said it, they were wrong. I remember at least one game in which Dennis Rodman played all 48 minutes without scoring a single point, and you can bet he was very effective.

You know, I have to honestly wonder what elindholm was thinking about when he wrote this post? You think whoever wrote that was wrong about Penny setting the record for most effective game ever without a point? That's a very bold statement. You're really going out on a limb here, huh?

Of course it was an exaggeration, what do you think? And I don't care how many people said it, I said I was joking.

You know, if you don't think my opinion is worth anything, don't respond to it. It doesn't matter to me - put me on ignore, don't read my posts, or just plain don't respond - in all honestly I couldn't care less, but your infatuation with disagreeing with every single one of my posts is really getting kind of tired. And what's the point anyway? Are you simply a mindless troll desperately trying to convince yourself that what you say really matters? Cause that's what it seems like.

 

[elindholm]

It doesn't matter to me - put me on ignore

How can I put you on ignore when you have a new username every week? I'll never keep up.

or just plain don't respond - in all honestly I couldn't care less, but your infatuation with disagreeing with every single one of my posts is really getting kind of tired.

So we're all supposed to tolerate your infatuation, but you don't have to tolerate mine? And why haven't you put me on ignore?

"In all honesty." Boy, something about Hardaway fans -- if you tell a lie with enough conviction and repeat it enough times, you think you'll eventually convince people. It's obvious you do care, having gone to all of this trouble to call me out. So what do you possibly hope to gain by saying that you don't?

 

[matt_whitlock]

"In all honesty." Boy, something about Hardaway fans -- if you tell a lie with enough conviction and repeat it enough times, you think you'll eventually convince people. It's obvious you do care, having gone to all of this trouble to call me out. So what do you possibly hope to gain by saying that you don't?

You know, you're right. This conversation is over. I don't have the time nor the patience to argue with you over whatever it may be that we're arguing about. If you need to be childish, you can create needless quarrles on other threads, such as the "Suns vs. Magic" or, if you really want, I replied once or twice when the Jahidi White trade first happened. Now, that was 3 weeks ago, but just if you couldn't find anything current, it's a suggestion.

For this post though, I'm done.

Rather, I should say: For this post though, I'm done. In all honesty.

 

[reedykat]

Personally, I think that it is cool that Penny doesn't just want to sit on the bench and earn his salary. It is ridiculous that JJ is getting an average of 41 superstar minutes. Penny should be getting more minutes ... Period. However, the good news is... the last two games, his minutes has increased.

 

[devilalum]

Hey Penny:

Either keep your money and shut up or let the money go and move on!

 

[PhiLLmattiC]

That'll work.