The Dime on Penny
Posted: 5/25/2006 12:54:17 AM
Video
Eyewitness Sports caught up with Penny Hardaway Wednesday during the FedEx St. Jude Classic Golf Celebrity Pro-Am and spoke with him, among other things, about his future in the NBA. During the middle of the 2005-2006 season, the former University of Memphis standout and NBA veteran was traded from New York to Orlando only to be waived a few days later by the Magic.
ES: Everyone in Memphis wants to know, what's the status of Penny right now.
Penny: Well right now, I'm waiting until the (playoffs) are over. Then I'm a free agent finally. So I really want to go somewhere where I can just show my talents, be involved and not just be on the bench. And I've just got to weigh those decisions once the season is over.
ES: What are some teams you would be interested in maybe going to?
Penny: Well home first of course, you know with the Grizzlies. The Lakers are interested, the Spurs. Ah, Miami and the Rockets. Those teams are on my list right now. All I have to do is make a phone call to come in and workout. And show them that I am healthy enough to play and to see where it goes from there.
ES: What is it about the Grizzlies that interest you, besides it being your home team? What is it about the team, the organization?
Penny: It's what they're trying to build. This is the first of anyone knowing of me even wanting to consider the Grizzlies, but they're passionate about the game here in (Memphis). The organization is wanting to win. They've had some bad luck the last three years in the playoffs, you know they are trying to push forward, so I would love to be a part of that, but we'll see what happens.
ES: Where would you see yourself fitting in to that organization?
Penny: Anywhere. I'm just a team player. Like I said, I just want to go to a team, if not (Memphis) just go to a team where I can just show my talents. I can pass the ball really well, I can defend I can rebound still...things that people overlook in my game because I'm not the same player that I was. I just want to be a part of a team and be involved.
ES: Through your years in the NBA, what have you learned as a professional?
Penny: You never know, in my case, any game is going to be your last because I had my glory days and just battling with knee injuries for the last five or six years. Just fighting through it, but now I'm starting to feel good about myself. Just enjoy (the NBA experience). I don't think I enjoyed it the first six or seven years. The publicity was great, but I don't think I enjoyed it. So now when I get back out there, I'm really going to enjoy the game.
ES: You think some teams are a little worried about the knee problems? Are you healthy now?
Penny: I'm healthy now. I think all you have to do is show (teams) you can play. They're not going to go by the past. They're going to by what happens right now. If I can go out there and show them, then that's all that matters.
Posted: 5/25/2006 12:54:17 AM
Video
Eyewitness Sports caught up with Penny Hardaway Wednesday during the FedEx St. Jude Classic Golf Celebrity Pro-Am and spoke with him, among other things, about his future in the NBA. During the middle of the 2005-2006 season, the former University of Memphis standout and NBA veteran was traded from New York to Orlando only to be waived a few days later by the Magic.
ES: Everyone in Memphis wants to know, what's the status of Penny right now.
Penny: Well right now, I'm waiting until the (playoffs) are over. Then I'm a free agent finally. So I really want to go somewhere where I can just show my talents, be involved and not just be on the bench. And I've just got to weigh those decisions once the season is over.
ES: What are some teams you would be interested in maybe going to?
Penny: Well home first of course, you know with the Grizzlies. The Lakers are interested, the Spurs. Ah, Miami and the Rockets. Those teams are on my list right now. All I have to do is make a phone call to come in and workout. And show them that I am healthy enough to play and to see where it goes from there.
ES: What is it about the Grizzlies that interest you, besides it being your home team? What is it about the team, the organization?
Penny: It's what they're trying to build. This is the first of anyone knowing of me even wanting to consider the Grizzlies, but they're passionate about the game here in (Memphis). The organization is wanting to win. They've had some bad luck the last three years in the playoffs, you know they are trying to push forward, so I would love to be a part of that, but we'll see what happens.
ES: Where would you see yourself fitting in to that organization?
Penny: Anywhere. I'm just a team player. Like I said, I just want to go to a team, if not (Memphis) just go to a team where I can just show my talents. I can pass the ball really well, I can defend I can rebound still...things that people overlook in my game because I'm not the same player that I was. I just want to be a part of a team and be involved.
ES: Through your years in the NBA, what have you learned as a professional?
Penny: You never know, in my case, any game is going to be your last because I had my glory days and just battling with knee injuries for the last five or six years. Just fighting through it, but now I'm starting to feel good about myself. Just enjoy (the NBA experience). I don't think I enjoyed it the first six or seven years. The publicity was great, but I don't think I enjoyed it. So now when I get back out there, I'm really going to enjoy the game.
ES: You think some teams are a little worried about the knee problems? Are you healthy now?
Penny: I'm healthy now. I think all you have to do is show (teams) you can play. They're not going to go by the past. They're going to by what happens right now. If I can go out there and show them, then that's all that matters.
