BarelyGenius Throwback: Penny Hardaway

Alrightty folks, it literally makes my heart happy to announce my first ever "BarelyGenius Throwback" recipient. I can remember being a kid, sharing a room with my younger brother and me and him going back and forth whenever the Bull's played the Magic. I guess you can say that I've always prided myself on being little different, because I wasn't (IN THE LEAST BIT) a Jordan fan. I respected his game, and knew he was greatness (and as a sneakerhead I fell head over heels for his shoes...I guess technically it would be heels over head in this case...WHATEVER, lol). My guy was none other than Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway!

Although Penny's career was later defined by injuries, at one point in time HE WAS THE MAN. He reminded me of a Magic Johnson/Michael Jordan combo. A 6ft 7inch point guard who had moves for days, could tear up the stat sheet (recorded two triple doubles as a junior at Memphis) and was a serious problem for any defender (and a VERY underated defender himself!). In just his second season in the league, he and Shaq led the Magic past the "almightty Bulls" in the playoffs and went on to get swept by the Rockets in the NBA Finals. Despite the sweep Penny still averaged 24 points, 5 boards, and 8 assists in the series!

He continued his excellent play the following few seasons, putting up huge numbers in several categories. He was an NBA Allstar, an Olympic gold medalist, and a model athlete. Fellow sneakerheads out there would have no choice but to remember the Air Penny's (Arguably the best of athlete sneakerlines ever behind His Airness of course). And no one can forget the commercials that featured "Lil Penny," a puppet voiced by the hilarious Chris Rock. Penny was a star, but later struggled with a left knee injury that took a toll on some of his explosiveness, and he was never able to get back to his glory days. He did have a five year stint (99-04) in Phoenix in which he played very well in a dangerous combination backcourt with teamate Jason Kidd. He was later traded to the Knicks, and also played for the Heat for a short while.

In my eyes, Penny's legacy would be that of one of the greatest, (forgotten) underappreciated players of all time. The guy was greatness...the knee injury just took away a lot of the characteristics that separated him from other players. I would have loved to have seen a present day Grant Hill scenario (happy too see this guy finally healthy and enjoying his gift), but at 37 years old I'm sure Penny's put the sneaks away. As a kid I idolized him, did book reports on him, and literally lit up whenever I put his shoes on (had the Air Penny 1's in the 4th grade!). He'll forever be my favorite player of all time. So when no you get get down in the dumps and feel that the hoop world no longer appreciates ya...just know there's one brotha here who always will Penny. Barely takes a genius to know that!