Penny Hardaway: 'I'm one of the top players to ever play the game'
Penny Hardaway believes he accomplished enough during his career to be considered among the greatest NBA players ever.
The former guard, who's now the head coach of the Memphis men's basketball team, hit back at his critics in an interview with Ashley Nicole Moss of Sports Illustrated.
"As a player, probably that I'm not one of the top players," Hardaway replied when asked about the unfair things that have been said about him. "I feel like I did get injured, but I showed enough in the game to know that I am one of the top players to ever play the game."
i sat down with Penny Hardaway in Memphis and asked him about some of the unfair narratives that exist about him.
— Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) November 9, 2021
not being considered one of the greats is a big one. he told me: “i’m one of the top players to ever play the game.” pic.twitter.com/ikxmvheNWJ
Hardaway earned four All-Star selections and was named to the All-NBA first team twice during his 15-year career. However, he struggled with injuries and missed the majority of the 1997-98, 2000-01, and 2005-06 campaigns.
Hardaway's best season came in 1995-96 when he averaged 21.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and two steals per game with the Orlando Magic.