Former Orlando Magic Star, Penny Hardaway, Has Hoop Dreams

Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway wants to join the Miami Heat trio of Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James this coming season. He hopes that by doing so, he will finally receive the final piece to his career puzzle—an NBA Title.

Well, isn't that special?

Hardaway is 38-years old (39 on Sunday), hasn't played professional ball in over three-years—more than that if you factor in the time he lost to injury during his final year of play (2007)—and his most recent experience putting the ball through a hoop comes via pick-up games 4-5 times a week.

Excuse me while I go laugh in the corner.
 
Ever since (LeBron) James and (Chris) Bosh decided to join forces with Wade in Miami, everyone wants a piece of their potential success.

I understand that the Heat are looking for roster-fillers to compliment their bench, but it's not like they are looking for NBA retreads to do it.

By his own admission, Hardaway has stated that "mentally I was retired and physically I was retired. I was playing recreational ball,"...uh huh, and that has prepared you for the gruel of an 82-game regular season how?

Granted, he wouldn't play significant minutes, but, he was hardly impressive in his last significant year of play. As a member of the Phoenix Suns in 2001, he played 80 games. He averaged 12.0 points and 3.8 assists.

That was nine years ago.

Every year after that saw repeated injuries and poor play and by the time he reached Miami in 2007, he was absolutely useless. He has nothing to offer the Heat this time around either and I have little doubt that they are well-aware of that fact.

Hardaway may feel like  he "...could really be good in that (Miami Heat)system," but the truth is he's done. He's been done since 2003 when it became clear that he couldn't nail a jump shot with a sledgehammer

Just be like Charles (Barkley), Penny, and accept the things you cannot change. Your playing days are over, you didn't win a championship, that sucks but it is what it is—just deal.

Then again, maybe I'm being too hard on Penny. After all, he did give me years of great entertainment with this:



...NOT!

Stay retired, Penny. No need in messing up a good thing. After all, the "veteran experience" you could offer Mario Chalmers is hardly worth leaving the confines of your cushy online gig—trust me.

Am I being too harsh? Probably, but, come on man—get real—those pennies you drop aren't from heaven anymore, Anfernee— just your pocket.