OT: Hardaway waived

[Suns_fan69]

I didn't think non-guaranteed contracts existed in the NBA. I'm guessing Miami doesn't have to pay the remainder of his contract? How many of you wished Boris or Banks signed those?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3152066

 

[Rab]

Bummer. I was hoping he'd be able to stick around this year and play a role on that team.

This is probably the end for Penny.

 

[Mulli]

But he was dunking so well...

 

[da_suns_fan]

"Come playoff time, we could see Penny Hardaway dunking like he did earlier in his career"

- Gary Bender

 

[Budden]

I think it's sad. All his career, he has been rocked by critics who have said he is soft, lacks the desire and heart to be a star, etc.

I don't think you can really question his motivation anymore, though. He went through an entire Pat Riley training camp with his status up in the air, getting paid $109 a day for food and traveling expenses - granted, $109 seems like a lot of eating and traveling - but I'm not sure I'd go through two-a-days led by one of the most infamous coaches renowned for his exhausting practices, on two arthritic knees, one of which has been cut open in surgery five times... all for $109 a day.

And to boot, I watched some Heat games this season, and he was unquestionably the best player on the Heat at getting Shaq the ball for an easy layup, and he looked for Shaq downlow virtually everytime he touched the ball. So, to pile it all on, he completely swallows his pride and decides he is going to try to make Shaq - the guy who has sent snipes at Penny pretty consistently since leaving Orlando - a better, more satisfied player. Then, he gets waived for some no-name from the D-League.

 

[JS22]

So, since nobody has asked......

Anyone interested?

 

[Covert Rain]

I know people like to pile on this guy but before he got hurt he arguably was one of the best players in the NBA before he got hurt. I will never forget a game I watched where Jordan and Penny both went off in the same game.

Jordan was Jordan. However, Jordan (Mr. all defense) couldn't stop Penny that game. Penny went off and outscored Jordan that game. It was awesome, Jorgan and Penny kept trading buckets on each other. It was awesome.

 

[scXfreakX]

I don't think I'd take a chance on Penny. No more bad contracts or extra players. Our players have enough trouble getting minutes, so why would we take on more. But, this is probably the end.

 

[dodie53]

too bad for Penny

 

[PHX04]

back court 2000

 

[Michael]

I feel so sorry for him.

And Steeldog, I think you are talking about the 96 play-offs, right? Penny scored 38 including a buzzer from mid-court, and neither Jordan or Pippen could do a thing to stop him from scoring in the post or of the dribble.

Can we please sign him, so he has a chance to finish with a ring?

 

[Covert Rain]

I feel so sorry for him.

And Steeldog, I think you are talking about the 96 play-offs, right? Penny scored 38 including a buzzer from mid-court, and neither Jordan or Pippen could do a thing to stop him from scoring in the post or of the dribble.

Can we please sign him, so he has a chance to finish with a ring?

That may have been the game. My memory gets cloudy in my old age. All I know is that after that game I thought Penny was one bad MF.

 

[Suns_fan69]

Can't believe this was overlooked!

Q&A with Penny from ESPN Daily Dime on the weekend: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-071215-16

Q: What about the physical side? How much better do you feel physically than when we last saw you?

A: About a million percent better. Honestly, it's like night and day. I had something lodged in the back of my

leg. Couldn't run, couldn't jump, couldn't move laterally, couldn't guard anyone. I was just out there trying to get by the best I could. But now being able to overcome it, feeling healthy and being out there able to run [freely], it's just a blessing, man. I worked out one year straight without missing a day because I was so hungry to get back. If I feel like this, hopefully I can play another year at least. I know that I could.​

A million times better? Hmm, where have we heard that before?​