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Former NBA star Penny Hardaway Now he spends most of his time in the film room, practices and the sideline leading the Memphis men's basketball team.
Hardaway, now in his eighth year coaching the Tigers, shared his plans for the upcoming short break.
Despite being on vacation from Dec. 22 to New Year's Eve, Hardaway plans to watch 50 college games, saying on his weekly radio show that he prefers college game over today's NBA style.
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Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway watches the Tulane Green Wave during an American Athletic Conference tournament semifinal game at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on March 11, 2023. (Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Hardaway argues that the element of fun is missing in professional circles. “It’s not fun to watch anymore,” the four-time NBA All-Star said. “It’s not fun to watch anymore,” the four-time NBA All-Star said.
“For me, over the years the situation has gotten worse and worse. Not in a bad way. But I need to look because I'm in college, I see the fundamentals of team ball,” he said. “And now I’m a little annoyed just shooting all threes just watching the NBA game. Nobody scores layups anymore. It's fun for the fans to watch.”
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“But for the guys who were clean in the game, it’s a little difficult.”
Hardaway was the third overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft and finished second in that season's Rookie of the Year voting. Although Hardaway has put the pros on the backburner, there are still a few teams he enjoys watching.
Head coach Penny Hardaway of the Memphis Tigers reacts during the second half against the Houston Cougars at FedExForum on March 5, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
“I love watching the Oklahoma City Thunder, not because they are the best team in the NBA, but because they play the game the right way,” he said.
“(And) the Celtics are playing the right way. And I still enjoy watching the Grizzlies. I still enjoy watching them progress. Knicks, watching Jalen Brunson. I'm watching Minnesota with Anthony Edwards.”
Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway (1) of the Phoenix Suns during an NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 5, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
While the advent of name, image and likeness (NIL) has been widely debated, it has undoubtedly changed the landscape of college sports. Hardaway acknowledged the changes that have occurred in recent years, but still concluded that the style of college basketball is more attractive than what the NBA offers.
“But I prefer this style to the NBA,” he said.
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Hardaway led Memphis to the NCAA Division I three straight times. men's basketball tournament speeches. The Tigers enter Saturday's visit to Mississippi State with a 4-6 record.
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