First Reggie, now Penny?
Anfernee ‘Penny’ Hardaway has signed a contract to play for the Miami Heat next season and I’m absolutely shocked. Penny was a very good NBA player over ten years ago when he had his last productive seasons as a pro. Throughout his career Penny has missed more games than he has played and has a terrible history of injuries. In fact, Penny has played a completed season only 3 times in his career.
Why would Miami sign Penny? I can’t grasp this one. He is 36 years old and doesn’t have a dominating trait or skill. As much as I’m against Reggie Miller coming back at 42, I’m more against Penny coming back. Miller at least has a deadly shot to offer a team. Penny doesn’t offer anything of the sort. His main trait was his ability to make other players better and was good at a number of things. A great passer, ballhandler and scorer when necessary, but that was years ago. Now he just doesn’t have that athletic ability that he needs to put him over the top or to give him the competitive advantage. I feel for the guy in that way.
I know Miami missed out on signing Eddie Jones back. I know they missed out on Mo Williams who chose to resign with the Bucks. But is getting a 36 year old journeyman going to solve problems? No, it will create them. He will do nothing but take minutes from a younger player who is just as good. Is Penny coming back to ride the bench? No, of course not, he wants to play and to get a ring.
Miami won’t win this year as they didn’t get any better and if you aren’t getting better then get younger. They didn’t do that either.
Shaq and Penny didn’t get along. Both wanted to be the man in Orlando and clearly Shaq was the man. Shaq still is the man. Penny is going to need to be willing to accept a role that most players of his reputation just don’t take. They had a rocky relationship as it was so this story is just getting started.
Overall, why the Heat want a career 15 points, 5 assist guy is beyond me. I personally don’t think he’ll make the team, but you never know. I wish him the best.
