Penny Hardaway

Anfernee " Penny " Hardaway ( born July 18, 1971 in Memphis, Tennessee ) is a former American professional basketball player. Hardaway was in the 90's to the most popular players of the sport.

Career

After three years at Memphis State University (since 1994 University of Memphis ), he volunteered for the NBA Draft in 1993. The Golden State Warriors selected him third in the first round to get him immediately against the Orlando Magic at number one gedrafteten Chris Webber replaced. His first season was very successful. He was MVP of the Rookie All-Star Game and second in the vote for Rookie of the Year, behind Chris Webber. For his achievements in Orlando Hardaway was called to the NBA All- Rookie First Team in 1994.

When the Orlando Magic, he met Center Shaquille O'Neal, who came in 1992 to the Magic and the point guard Hardaway, to 1996, a congenial duo formed. Hardaway had his athletic best years at this time. Already in his second year he was invited to the NBA All- Star Game, and appointed to the NBA All- NBA First Team. Three more invitations to the All-Star Game should follow. He scored in that time about 20 points and 7 assists per game. In the 1994/95 season, the Magic made ​​it to the NBA finals series, which was, however, lost 0-4 against the Houston Rockets.

In 1996 he was a member of Dream Team III, the Atlanta won the gold medal at the Olympic Games.

After O'Neal Orlando was changed in 1996 to the Los Angeles Lakers, Hardaway was the sole team leader. But he could not compensate for the departure of the dominant center. Serious injury threw him back again and again, he graduated in the 1997/98 season only 19 games.

1999 were trading the Magic Hardaway to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Danny Manning, Pat Garrity and two future Erstrundendraftpicks. Add Phoenix to Hardaways injury crisis continued (only four games in the 2000 /01 season), so that he could no longer bring his achievements in his usual dimensions with the exception of the 1999/2000 season. Its yield fell from an average of 18 points in the Magic to about 10 points per game for the Suns. However, Hardaway was an important player in the Sun's rotation.

2004 Hardaway was sent, among others, with Stephon Marbury and Cezary Trybanski in exchange for Howard Eisley, Charlie Ward, Antonio McDyess, Maciej lamp, the draft rights to Milos Vujanic, a Erstrundendraftpick for 2004 and a further future Erstrundenpick to the New York Knicks. For the Knicks, he graduated in three years, 83 matches and scored 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.

In February 2006 Hardaways led the way along with Trevor Ariza for Steve Francis back to Orlando, where he was but a few days later to have completed without a game released.

After the 2005/ 06 season he retired from first active sports because of knee problems back.

2007/ 08 he came back with a comeback in the NBA and was taken at the Miami Heat under contract. On 12 December, however, he was dismissed by the Heat again after 16 games.

During his career, Hardaway scored in 704 games: 15.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.

Achievements

  • Olympic gold medal (1996 )
  • 4 x NBA All-Star (1995-1998)
  • 2 x All- NBA First Team (1995-1996)
  • 1 x All- NBA Third Team (1997)
  • NBA All- Rookie First Team (1994 )
  • NBA Rookie Challenge MVP (1994 )
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