Phoenix Suns: Can Rubio and Booker be the next “Backcourt 2000”?
By Ronald Agers
Suns thought they were one Penny away from NBA championship
Backcourt 2000 was built basically within one blueprint. The two stars had fallen out of favor with their respective teams or fans. Penny Hardaway had a contentious relationship with the Orlando Magic and the fan base.
The fans booed when the team traded Chris Webber to the Golden State Warriors for Penny Hardaway in a draft-night shocker. By the end of his tenure, Hardaway, the fans and the Magic franchise were equally done with each other.
In 1999, the Magic sent Hardaway to the Phoenix Suns with a new seven-year, $86.6 million contract for second-year forward Pat Garrity, two future first-round draft picks and journeyman Danny Manning.
It was really easy to see why the Suns had championship aspirations. Hardaway’s career was marked early by his athleticism and talent, helping the Magic reach the NBA Finals in 1995 with Shaquille O’Neal. But after O’Neal left, Hardaway struggled with injuries and leadership. Instead of being known as the next superstar, he was known as a coach killer.
It was reported that Hardaway led a team mutiny to oust coach Brian Hill in 1997. By the time Chuck Daly resigned from the Magic, it was clear that Hardaway wanted out.