The TRUTH on why one mistake from Penny Hardaway ended his career

[@chongb]

He was the combination of two MJs Michael Jordan + Magic Johnson.

[@werunthesestreets]

"I'm a hooper, i wanna play" what you will never hear from the modern player

[@TeamJeffster]

Penny had a torn meniscus and played the entire summer. Player today healthy resting on a back to back 😂

[@Obsidian305]

Yeah because of guys like Penny

[@dbreiden83080]

Yeah, but I’m very skeptical of his story. He’s claiming he felt he had torn cartilage in his knee, but never got a diagnosis and just played the entire summer. Then shows up to training camp and says I need imaging on the knee. I’m not sure I believe that.

[@dbreiden83080]

The fact that he’s saying he didn’t get a diagnosis until camp makes me highly skeptical of his story. Do you have any idea how pissed off the organization would be at you if you show up at the training camp saying your knee hurt all summer long but didn’t let them know until now?

[@CrisJunkie]

@@dbreiden83080 Back then, players played hurt and the diagnoses then weren't as good as they are now. Isiah Thomas played one one leg. Wizards players would confirm Jordan played 82 games with an injured knee. You know Metta played after heart surgery, LOL. Lots of players played hurt. It's not until mid-2010s that organizations and players started shutting it down for a long span of time when they're hurt, either because they want to protect their money or just tank. Cats back then were different. If they were hurt but could still play, they'd play.

[@hulksmash54]

When people ask how good Penny was I always say the sane thing. He was the first guy that Nike gave a signature shoe to other than Jordan. In 95/96 I remember more people hooping in Air Penny's than Jordan’s.

[@antdawg78]

Correct

[@mrgoinuppskywalker6947]

Air Penny, air Jordan & Diamond Turf (Prime Time) the top 3 BEST Nike signature shoes of ALL TIME manee 🔥🔥🔥

[@georgiosgrigoriadis6200]

My first jersey was his Magic black one. Last year i bought a pair of Nike Penny 2 and i am hooping in them.

[@jackiesteele6719]

Incorrect. Charles Barkley had signature Nike shoes before Penny.

[@antdawg78]

@@jackiesteele6719 your correct Barkley got his signature shoe in 94 and Penny 95

[@boxstateboy7710]

Penny and G Hill were the reasons I started watching hoops

[@lawrence208]

Man, so many of these dudes would be the best at their position in the league today. 94-95 Prime Penny would be the best point guard today. Prime Grant Hill would be the best 3 in the league today. Prime Brandon Roy would be the best 2 guard in the league today.....

[@remidibeatz8780]

Real Talk

[@deebo1428]

Brandon Roy gets a little overrated. He wouldn’t be better than ant man or booker right now . Sga is more of a 2 than a pg and Roy ain’t fw him either

[@lawrence208]

@@deebo1428 nah im still taking b roy over anyone today. Brandon Roy today would be like a bigger version of Dame with a post up game.

[@jonyoung-mt3jk]

T Mac, D Rose, Gilbert Arenas, but most definitely most slept on and not seen from or heard from. B roy.

[@jonyoung-mt3jk]

@@deebo1428your out of your damn mind you do know he was lockin up kobe for a lil do your research child

[@nnjvhvhhgc5213]

Penny was that dude back in the mid-90s!

[@fade2black1982]

Was (and still am) a huge Penny fan. I remember those days, and he has always stood on business on his injuries. I also remember the MEDIA ripping him apart because he was hurt. The media in Orlando was on some bs in those days too. Back then, I wish he would have took the whole season off (even miss those '96 Olympics). However, it is what it is. The legacy he left behind on the court is still one of the sickest ever. He's one of one.

[@Supreme36074]

Load management today is a result of these guys from The 90’s & teams who invested in them learning from these mistakes. Today he would’ve sat out the entire year, then they pushed you to come back to fill the seats , ending quit a few careers before they naturally ended.

[@noliesbeingtold]

The biggest "What if" in NBA history. When Jordan wear your sneakers in a game, you the guy!

[@janarusbyrd9992]

Factssss

[@1CHOZN7]

Facts

[@ehrenthompson7891]

Facts! He was a top 5 player by year 3.

[@UpTheDown7]

Penny is the number two what if. Number one what if has to be Grant Hill & McGrady on the Magic. That could’ve changed the league for the next decade.

[@allphornunn]

Meniscus can be incredibly tough to get back to 100% (see Penny, Embiid, Kawhi, many more). It's different than a straight band type of ligament like ACL, LCL, etc. It's like a base which helps the bone below (tibia) and the bone above (femur) with all movement and spacing, cushioning, and support. Doctors don't always admit it, but i think they still haven't mastered how to reconstruct a meniscus the way they have with other connective tissue.

[@ehrenthompson7891]

True

[@Osogrande86]

The breaks of the game…for every MJ who broke his foot came back early and became the GOAT. There are so many good players that could have been great. Penny, Hill, Walton, Rose, Roy just to name a few…

[@JohnnyReb1976]

This guy was a legit beast, the most athletic player in 1995. I particularly remember his three point jumper where I reckon the ball was released from above rim level.

[@kisswriters]

What Penny’s not going to mention is how he rushed back from surgery to play in the 1999 All Star Game, some say because he didn’t want Rod Strickland to be named his alternate. It’s also the same year Iverson destroyed Penny in the playoffs.

[@matipenny]

no All Stars game in 99

[@kisswriters]

@@matipenny My bad, I may have the year wrong; but it's the season Penny only played a few regular season games but rushed back from surgery to play in the ASG. Strickland was named as the alternate but due to Penny rushing back, he never appeared in an ASG.

[@FlyAwayChi]

that was 1998

[@johnmickns]

I remember that. Didnt understand then why he rushed back

[@SuperDiggem]

He started over Tim Hardaway, Hardaway was hot….

[@abrahamwong938]

Lesson for all athletes, take your time and rehab to the fullest, never try to play hurt, playing hurt only derail your career.

[@Goldiesmellgood]

Man, I hate that for Penny especially how it happened that's tuff. The way he could face up smaller guards at 6-7 - 6-8 and not have to turn to the side to protect the ball was extraordinary. Salute

[@fade2black1982]

He could, BUT he still did that a lot, which is not a bad thing. His handle was still elite.

[@honorfirst7506]

Michael Curry is #12 on Pistons 1996.

[@johancarrasco6674]

I thought it was just me getting older, but I also tore my meniscus, and didn't realise it at the time. When I finally had the scans done to confirm the tear, my quad had shrunk. I had to relearn how to use my quad. I couldn't even tense it. I was never the same even after all the rehab. Any explosiveness I had felt like it was just sapped out of me.

[@TheULMOnaut]

I have no words for the respect I have for these players who where pros when I grew up. So many great and inspiring players.

[@lolo1973ful]

This is why Health is very important and why people bring in Goat talks is wild. Different Eras has different treatments

[@finnbalor8021]

It was his third year, his best season runner up for MVP. Not only did he play on it through that playoffs but played in the Olympics that Summer. He had to rush back early the next season cause Shaq was gone.

[@michaelwatts1186]

This is why recovery and rest and checkups are important as an athlete. Many athletes are addicted to there sport and training with very little awareness outside of that, which is a slippery slope because if you do too much and don't let the body rest to repair and regrow muscle and tissue injuries will come sooner than later. Doing less with more efficiency is more in the end in terms of career.

[@herbgotti6028]

Penny was definitely that 🥷, I remember the lil penny doll commercials and everything, I would’ve loved to see Penny,Iverson, Kobe battle it out every year. Penny definitely a 🐐 💯🤝🏾

[@BRYxMONTANA]

Penny in today’s game would EASILY be a top 5 MVP candidate and in convos for Best PG. Especially with today’s 5 our offense and having multiple shooters on the team. he was 6’7 athletic , skilled with great footwork it would be very hard to guard him.

[@Imisambi]

Zebo never jumped that’s why it didn’t effect him that much 😄😄 Joiking

[@1CHOZN7]

Facts 😂

[@DungarooTV]

This part people never hear about...heart breaking!

[@CoreyDash]

Shoutout to a LEGEND 🎉

[@fatesandgates]

The major injury happened in the 8th & 9th year, but Penny was averaging 16 ppg & 5 apg in years 5 & 6. I remember thinking his numbers would go up after the 95-96 season.

[@futrpdr]

Athletes need to tell more of these stories. People don’t really realize what they’re going through behind the scenes; and that’s just the physical side!!!

[@TONYshoutout250]

There was Pippen.. then Penny... now Luka... 1 of 1 kinda players ! Tall.. handle the ball.. can affect the game in many ways... damm I loved Penny game

[@Sticktothemodels]

Mentioning Pippen but not Grant Hill is wild. Hill used to cook Scottie, bad. Was better at everything beside defense

[@michaelallen8112]

​​@@Sticktothemodelsbro no he didnt stop lying Pip leds bulls teams beat Pistons with Grant Hill Basically leading into out by the end of the 3rd early 4th

[@MrInternational1980]

Magic was first

[@LargeDude2023]

Pip was a bench player and used to get punked by everyone including his own teammates early on. But he eventually became a beast. The other dudes were beast right out the gate.

[@TONYshoutout250]

@Sticktothemodels no one ever mentions Grant Hill bec he didn't do anything lol "cooking Pippen" isn't an accomplishment! If you said he lead his team to a finals??? Maybe... other than that.. cooking Pippen won't get you mentioned 20 yrs from now

[@joegevorkyan7308]

Penny and Hill came back way too early. Bernard King did it right… 2.5 years off. Came back a beast.

[@sultanabran1]

that's the sad thing. i've recovered from two meniscus tears, one on each knee. now i'm no penny hardaway, but the injury is not devastating, depending on the tear. however, if he had better advice and patience, he would've come back and had the amazing career he deserved.

[@jamieparker6465]

Ngl, penny was my favorite player at that time. I was in 4th-5th grade at that time. I remember watching him put 40 on Miami on nba on Sunday after church. I felt so bad when he had those injuries I stop watching basketball. I remember thinking “I wish somebody from Memphis made it”. Good to hear how it actually went down

[@ludmilhadjisotirov1553]

Penny was unbelievable talent and player when healthy. We used to gather infront of the tv in Bulgaria during the night( because of time difference) to watch him.

[@wcwilliams7683]

Joe Dumars was #4, that vid was of somebody else hitting Penny. Sad that he couldn't get back to playing at prime level though

[@subfreeze730]

Yes it was Michael Curry No.12 but didn't look intentional.

[@MrFarang10]

This is the guy, Slam Dunk comics drew a chacracter based on and the character name is called Sendoh.

[@trevornever27]

Loved #1 back in the day, by the time he got to Phx he barely saw the floor bc of injuries and it was just a sad sight. Many fans were hard on him n accused him of collecting a paycheck and questioned his desire to play, which I felt was unfair. It was a shame too bc playing in Phx and their team trainer was essential in extending Steve Nash and Grant Hill’s careers, it was too bad that Hardaway couldnt benefit the same way.

[@uenoocean9289]

That was a dirty move. No way a player run’s into the back of my knee, bye accident. Didn’t fall into you, ran right to you, to slow you down, makes my stomach hurt!

[@george._sir._gemini.175]

Joe was Dirty...

[@venelinbarbov9964]

Penny was phenomenal , athletic freaks and so skilled

[@arneilmarquez]

I just tore my miniscus and just had surgery. I know how Penny feels. It's a very very very tough to come back from this type of injury/surgery. Luckily for me, Im 43 and my best days are behind me and I don't ball for a living. Im okay with just playing ball once every two weeks and working out at the gym. But I know the feeling. Sometimes, you just want to hoop but you can't.

[@glennweber9290]

Fucking tragic. We love you Penny! Literally one of the biggest "what if's" in NBA history.

[@Melo.S_NY]

Penny is my fav player All time. Messed up those injuries stopped his promising career

[@johnnyhudson1390]

The first one from Memphis Tennessee the TRUTH

[@MassGainingGuy]

901!!!

[@jdigitalseven7]

Larry Johnson was sorta the same way. Was out of shape and played in a charity game n turned it uo too hard n hurt his back...was never the same again.

[@ROGERKUE]

Perfect example of not letting your body heal properly 😢

[@therealmelrah]

I remember playing in the park and people arguing about who's better MJ or Penny

[@BlasiusKarachus]

All these surgeries were so unnecessary. He would have been better off by just resting for four to six weeks. No surgery just rest and let the body recover. 99 % of sports surgery are unnecessary but they are done because there is a little chance that the healing process could be shortened. So the main question is: What would have been if Penny just tried to recover properly instead of what would have been if he had never gotten injured.

[@dbreiden83080]

I’m not sure I believe his story because by not reporting the injury to the organization he’d be in violation of the collective bargaining agreement. You can’t just come to training camp and tell the team you’ve had a bad knee all summer and now you wanna get it checked out.

[@michaelwatts1186]

This is why recovery and ret and checkups are important as an athlete. Athletes are addicted to there sport and training, which is a slippery slope because if you do too much and don't let the body rest to repair and regrow muscle and tissue injuries will come sooner than later. Doing less with more efficiency is more in the end in terms of career.

[@kildareescoto1203]

LJ,Penny and Grant Hill are my top 3 What If's in the NBA😔

[@andresdelportillo9917]

LJ was a beast

[@dbreiden83080]

I’m a little skeptical of this story. He felt his knee had torn cartilage, but he decided to play through it the entire summer and never got an MRI until training camp. I’m not sure I believe that. That just would be beyond stupid.

[@allisknu11]

Maybe it was unintentional, but I wouldn't have thought Dumars slamming his knee into the back of Penny's knee was the start of this career-ending injury. It didn't help that he played on it the entire summer, which I understand he wanted to hoop.

[@feedthesnake3394]

haters: back in the day hoopers hooped other haters: if he had load management he'd be in the hall of fame

[@uenoocean9289]

Hope that wasn’t a cheap shot from,Joe- gives you a stomach ache thinking about it.

[@MikeBeltMikeBelt]

was not Joe

[@KNOWtheLEDGE7]

15 seasons in the NBA and we saw what he could do on a high level for the first 7 years of his career, No more "he couldve been a great". He already is a great! And will always be a legend. Theres a reason why the Penny sneakers are the closest to Jordans. Not everyone is going to have rings and a smooth course but we need to stop negating peoples talent and impact with these "couldve been" narratives.

[@DV-ou1yu]

When that quad goes, it's all over. Achilles, meniscus, and/or quad will take you out with ease.

[@shanemallay347]

So many great got there careers cut short cause of injury

[@nottart331]

FIRST TEAM ALL DEFENSE PODCAST

[@Brhoward31]

It was Penny, Cwebb and Allan Houston who originally took a serious L getting that injury

[@iamlegend122]

Question is why did the organizations keep letting him come back early?🤦🏾‍♂️

[@nolie9695]

Joe dumars robbed us of penny🤦🏾‍♂️

[@MikeBeltMikeBelt]

was not Joe

[@RLJ550]

The only player in NBA history that you can compare to Ben Simmons. No one else comes close

[@lubramo78]

Penny was insane, dont see hoopers like him no more

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

Is it sunny in there?

[@lindellmonigan6647]

This was my guy penny all day little penny nice too them commercials and sneakers to this day I have his sneakers still collecting them to this day Penny is the man injuries plagued his career he was MJ before there was an MJ Air Penny baby all day

[@KNOWtheLEDGE7]

MJ before MJ? Huh?

[@SLIMZD]

Penny had a mean post game

[@spiffy8576]

I’d like to see Mark Price in today’s league.

[@reggiebowens895]

Yea that micro fracture surgery gave me the same issues!

[@Ejr82u]

Me too lol

[@aodventures]

Imagine if him and TMac never had those injuries

[@tyrekespain6702]

Penny was my favorite growing up period....my son middle name is Anfernee cause of him

[@YFGMBlogTv]

Off rip after the playoffs he should of got that looked at see man when your body is in pain go get checked out

[@set4life30]

Why can't anyone be honest and Penny himself about his D Wade lifestyle? The real reason why his career ended after he tried to come back from his first surgery.

[@rudyando]

Chasing POON!

[@set4life30]

@rudyando he was in the closet and when it got out he was clowned by his own teammates and opponents and it messed with his head and couldn't focus on basketball. He used his injuries as an excuse to try and cover up his sexual since back then gays in pro sports was not accepted as it is today.

[@NYKgjl10]

Penny was ahead of his time and very gifted b-ball player and gifted athletically.

[@Tdot6]

Unfortunately a lot of Penny's athleticism was gone after the surgeries. Ja Morant reminds me of Penny.

[@cliffd2992]

Never knew his injury was from a dirty play

[@myviewschannel6259]

First player I was drawn to and wanted to be like in every way possible. Anfernee penny hardaway

[@dkd8747]

Penny was scary good

[@samghost13]

Like my Hero Grant Hill 33 it was yeah so sad man!

[@cnl1213]

Penny is the blueprint for guys like Melo and Shai.

[@richkingdept.4898]

Thats why dream team 2 was better than dream team 1 Penny , ghill,reggie,scottie, Gp, ❤

[@johnnyhudson1390]

The ONE do your research

[@ojc8203]

One more reason that even ballers need education.

[@ian.piepenbrock]

Penny was AMAZING!

[@dapip6676]

My idol

[@vincentforonda7381]

what if prime d rose & prime penny didn't get injured.

[@rudimerm7686]

No, Penny's game is more advanced than today's flopping, traveling, and 3-pt chucking snowflakes. His game was part of that era (Grant Hill, Pippen, Fadeaway MJ, young Kobe, AI, Ray Allen, etc.).

[@kylecrisman9230]

Everyone talks about Jordan being best. No way penny and iverson were the best to ever do it

[@psykicchimp8480]

I think he only took two days off…..😂

[@90ackt]

First #1 superstar Oscar Robertson 2nd Penny Hardaway

[@broderickjohnson1427]

Pure beast who got robbed the same way from injuries like McGrady...

[@roncrudup2110]

McGrady had a back issue before he got drafted. They expected him to play only 5 years. He actually outplayed expectations.

[@kincamell2]

Heavy

[@rollendecuzar282]

The next MJ.

[@gianlonewolf9234]

the science now could have saved Penny

[@Ryzon28]

All Shaqs fault penny shouldve went to the Warriors

[@phannypharts]

Penny for life

[@ReginaldGuyII]

Mentor LaMelo Ball.

[@theaquariancontrarian3316]

6'7"???? The guy always looked like was 5 10 lol

[@arnaud.lancelot]

So stupid to play on pain...

[@m.akbart3840]

Penny.

[@uenoocean9289]

If Penny didn’t play with Shaq, he would’ve averaged 35pts a game

[@burgessfrederick2]

35 is a strech!! Lol he was still a floor general. I'd say , maybe 25 and 11 for his career high.

[@uenoocean9289]

@ over 30pts a game, easy , with 10 assist. 10 more shots a game.

[@uenoocean9289]

@ Magic, would’ve needed , Penny to score more, if they were going to win. He’s a point guard, that can post up a power forward. Match up problems, everywhere

[@casiemny1219]

No he wouldn’t have

[@uenoocean9289]

@ explain, because ,Penny didn’t take shots like Kobe. He has the game. James Harden , went for 30pts after OKC

[@GB8492]

Embiid is the the biggest "What If" in NBA history!

[@jeremyhart3871]

Unc still look the same

[@dsheriff262]

Dang z Bo hair line fracture #5head