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Former NBA star Penny Hardaway now spends most of her time in the film room, working out and on the sidelines while guiding the Memphis men’s basketball team.
Hardaway, who is in his eighth year coaching the Tigers, revealed his plans for the upcoming vacation.
Despite having a period off from Dec. 22 until New Year’s Eve, Hardaway plans to watch 50 college games, saying on his weekly radio show that he prefers college games to today’s NBA style.
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Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway watches the Tulane Green Wave during the American Athletic Conference tournament semifinal game at Dickies Arena in Forth Worth, Texas on March 11, 2023. (Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Hardaway argued that the professional ranks lack an element of fun. “It’s just not fun to watch anymore,” the four-time NBA All-Star said. “It’s just not fun to watch anymore,” the four-time NBA All-Star said.
“It feels like over the years, for me, it’s gotten worse and worse. Not in a bad way. But for me, because I’m in college, I see the fundamentals and I play team ball,” he said. “And just shooting all 3s now is just a little irritating for me to just watch an NBA game. Nobody shoots layups anymore. It’s fun to watch for the fans.
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“But for the guys who were pure in the game, it’s a little difficult.”
Hardaway was the third overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft and the runner-up at the end of that season’s Rookie of the Year voting. Even though Hardaway has put the pros on the back burner, 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’re the best team in the NBA, but because they play the game the right way,” he said.
“(And the) Celtics, they play the game the right way. And I always love watching the Grizzlies. I always love watching how they’re progressing. The Knicks, I’m watching Jalen Brunson. I’m watching Minnesota with Anthony Edwards.”
Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway (1) of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 5, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Although the advent of name, image and likeness (NIL) has been widely debated, it has undoubtedly changed the college athletic landscape. Hardaway acknowledged the changes in recent years, but still concluded that the style of college hoops is more appealing than that presented by the NBA.
“But I prefer this style to the NBA,” he said.
Hardaway guided Memphis to three consecutive NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament appearances. The Tigers enter Saturday’s visit to Mississippi State with a 4-6 record.
