NBA Power Rankings: 30 Greatest Point Guards of All-Time

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HOUSTON – JUNE 14: Anfernee Hardaway #1 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket against Kenny Smith #30 of the Houston Rockets in Game Four of the 1995 NBA Finals at the Summit on June 14, 1995 in Houston, Texas. The Rockets won 113-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

20. Penny Hardaway

1993 – 2007

Franchises: Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Miami Heat

Career totals: 10,684 points, 3,525 assists, 3,146 rebounds, 1,125 steals, 1,786 turnovers

Career averages: 15.2 points, 5.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 2.5 turnovers

Shooting: 45.8 percent field goals, 31.6 percent 3-pointers, 77.4 percent free throws

Accolades: 4x NBA All-Star, 2x All-NBA First Team, 1x All-NBA Third Team, All-Rookie First Team

Anfernee Hardaway had the potential to be better than Tim Hardaway, and the only reason I bring his name up is because they both had the same last name. Penny was much larger, listed at 6’7”, and played more positions than just point guard. In fact, Hardaway only played point guard four out of his 14 years in the pros. Those first four years, however, were magical in Orlando.

The Magic desperately wanted to put Chris Webber next to Shaq in the frontcourt when the 1993 Draft came along, but Penny showed unbelievable desire to play with the Big Diesel in a dynamic point guard-center combination. He wanted extra pre-draft workouts with the Magic, and they ended up acquiring Hardaway in a trade with Golden State.

Hardaway had helped lead Orlando to the NBA Finals, along with Shaq, in 1995 after defeating the Bulls in the second round. Since Michael Jordan was still getting back into the swing of things, he wasn’t able to stop the best in the game at the time. Although they were swept by Hakeem Olajuwon and the Rockets, Penny still averaged 24.5 points, eight assists, and 4.8 rebounds in the loss. His motor never stopped on the offensive end, and his length gave so many people problems when attacking in the halfcourt.

What made Hardaway so impressive was his breathtaking ball control, and series of spins that could free him up at any time. He looked like a wizard with the ball, spinning in traffic at his large size, but always keeping the ball within his grasp. For how much he drove into the heart of the defense and made plays out of the post, he only averaged 2.5 turnovers for his career.

Hardaway’s season in 1995-96, where he scored 21.7 points per game on 51.3 percent shooting, should be remembered forever. He posted his career-high in win shares during that season, at 14.4. 11 of those were off offensive win shares alone, since he was frightening against other point guards.

There may not be anything like him again.

Next: Ding Bing!