Anfernee Hardaway s five best years

Penny" Anfernee Hardaway's career is full of the tragedy of "what if", but his peak period was undoubtedly bright and dazzling. He was hailed as one of Jordan's successors. His comprehensive, elegant and imaginative style of play conquered the entire world. He was once the hottest young player in the NBA and was all the rage. The following are his five strongest seasons, which perfectly illustrate his transformation from a superstar to the league's top star.

1. 1995-1996 season: Becoming a Super Giant and making the All-NBA First Team

This is the absolute pinnacle of "Penny's" personal honors and statistics. He has officially entered the ranks of the league's top stars.

Data: Averaged 21.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.0 steals per game, and shot 51.3% from the field.

Performance and status:

Integrated offense and defense: The average of 2.0 steals per game ranks fourth in the league, showing his excellent defensive anticipation and athletic ability. He is extremely efficient on the offensive end and is a rare candidate for the "180 Club" (50%+FG%, 40%+3P%, 90%+FT%) team leader: With Shaquille O'Neal missing a large number of games due to injury, Hardaway carried the team on his own and led the Magic to an impressive record of 60 wins and 22 losses, proving that he is not only a gorgeous second-in-command, but also a qualified team leader.

His key ball ability has become more mature, and he has taken over the game at the last moment many times.

Honor: Selected to the NBA All-NBA first team, outperforming many superstars, becoming one of the best defenders in the league.

2. 1994-1995 season: Finals stage, shining super star

This was the season when Hardaway truly became famous. The combination of him and O'Neal showed unparalleled potential and reached the finals.

Data per game: Average. 20.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.7 steals.

Performance and status:

Perfect second-hand player/organizer: His passing talent has been perfectly unleashed this season, averaging 7.2 assists per game. His pick-and-roll cooperation with O'Neal is one of the most unsolvable offensive weapons in the league.

Proven in the playoffs: In the playoffs, he averaged 20.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game, helping the team defeat the Celtics, Bulls (Jordan's first season back), and the Pacers, and entered the finals.

The future is promising: Although the Rockets swept the finals, Hardaway's elegant style of play and big heart at critical moments made him known as the "Successor of Jordan", and his future is bright.

Honor: Selected to the NBA All-NBA Second Team and selected to the NBA All-Star for the first time.

3. 1996-1997 Season: Tragic Lone Hero, Data Outbreak

This was Hardaway's most explosive season, but it was also from this season that the shadow of injuries began to shadow his career.

Data per game: Average. 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals.

Performance and status:

Leading the team alone: O'Neal traveled to the Lakers, and Hardaway became the only core of the team. He has unlimited firepower and dominance, and the data is comprehensive, but the team's record fluctuated due to the decline in lineup strength.

Left knee injury: At the beginning of the season, he underwent surgery for the first time due to cartilage damage in his left knee and missed most of the game.

His playoff heroism. Despite suffering from a knee injury, he put on a tragic personal performance against the Heat in the first round of the playoffs. With the team trailing 0-2, he played through the injury and scored 42 points in the third game, but was ultimately unable to recover and the team was swept.

Honors: Due to insufficient appearances, he was not selected for the All-NBA Team, but his per-game statistics still proved his top strength.

4. 1993-1994 Season: Rookie of the Year, suddenly emerged

In his rookie season, Hardaway showed unique superstar potential. His comprehensiveness and maturity far exceeded his peers.

Data per game: Average. 16.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 2.3 steals.

Performance and status:

Tall and versatile: As a tall point guard with a height of 2.01 meters, his rebounding and assist abilities are amazing. His 2.3 steals per game rank third in the league, showing

The origin of "Penny": His gorgeous and practical style of play made his teammates marvel at him as "Penny" (from a cartoon character), and this nickname has been with him forever.

Future cornerstone: His combination with O'Neal is regarded as the future ruler of the Magic and even the league. Their talents excited the entire basketball world.

5. 1997-1998 Season (Suns Period): Transformation and Final Flash

After being traded to the Phoenix Suns, Hardaway tried to form a "2000 backcourt" with Jason Kidd, but continued knee injuries severely limited his athletic ability.

Data: Averaged 16.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.

Performance and status:

Technical transformation: Losing the explosiveness he once had, he began to rely more on rhythm, experience and shooting. He is still an efficient and smart player..

All-Star Legacy: He is still capable of performing brilliantly this season and was selected to the All-Stars, but this is the last All-Star trip of his career.

The end of his prime: This season marked the end of his era as the league's top star. Although he could still contribute later, he could never return to the freewheeling heights of 1995-96.

Summary: A legend as bright as a shooting star

The five years when Anfernee Hardaway was the strongest were actually almost the healthier five years of his career. It is a condensed epic about talent, glory and regret.

Unparalleled talent: He has the skills of a point guard, the size of a small forward, the sense of a scorer and the agility of a defender. He is the perfect "combination" on the basketball court. His style of play combines power and elegance, imagination and practicality.

His peak height is enough to rival the gods: In the 1995-96 season, he was a member of the league's best first team and was recognized as a TOP 5 superstar. His popularity was unparalleled for a while.

Sad "What If": His peak period ended abruptly due to a damn knee injury, making him one of the most famous "what ifs" in NBA history. Without injuries, how many championships would he and O'Neal have won together? What height can he reach?

The power of "Penny" Hardaway is that he has shown us a nearly perfect template for an outside player. Even if his peak is short-lived, it is enough to be remembered forever by everyone who has witnessed his flight. He was a brilliant shooting star that streaked across the NBA night sky in the 1990s. Although his light could not last forever, the brilliance of that moment has become a classic.