Penny Hardaway v. Heat 1997 Playoffs Game 3

People who follow the NBA today forget how good Penny Hardaway was before all his injuries. For all of his great performances, this, to me, was the defining moment of his career.

Shaquille O'Neal had moved on to the Lakers, and the Magic had suffered through a tumultuous 45-37 season that included the firing of Brian Hill and several injuries to key players. Hardaway himself missed 23 games due to injury, and many felt he was responsible for the player mutiny against Hill. Waiting for the Magic were the powerful Miami Heat, coached by Pat Riley and anchored by Alonzo Mourning. The Heat had finished 61-21 and would go on to the Eastern Conference Finals after rallying to defeat the Knicks in the next round.

In the first two games of the series, the Heat dominated, obliterating the Magic in every facet of the game. The same thing was happening in Game 3, as the Heat took a 20-point lead in the second quarter. The Magic, who had been swept out of the playoffs in each of the last three years, probably had that same result on their minds.

But then, Hardaway took over, carrying his battered team to victory. Starting power forward Horace Grant was out for the series, starting center Rony Seikaly broke his foot in the second quarter, and starting swingmen Nick Anderson and Dennis Scott were severely limited throughout the game. At one point, the Magic were forced to use Danny Schayes at center, but it didn't matter. Hardaway put the team on his back, scoring 26 first-half points to lead a rally and inspiring others like Darrell Armstrong and Gerald Wilkins to big performances. He ultimately finished with 42 points, and though the Magic eventually lost the series in five games, it was a classic example of a guy taking over a game like few can in any era of the NBA.

Announcers: Verne Lundquist and Doc Rivers.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Penny
• Hardaway
• Orlando
• Magic
• Miami
• Heat
• 1997
• NBA
• Playoffs

[Riggsavelli]

Can anyone say, "Foamposites" greatest sneaker of all time

[kngjames83]

Yeah Doc Rivers was a idiot for that statement...Penny could handle the ball better than most smaller point guards and he had the size to play the 2 and the 3...This guy was extremely talented and I hate the injuries got the best of him!!! It takes me to watch these old games to remember how good this dude actually was...

[vladanation]

@bskingkong And yet his Orlando jersey is still being sold and looked for around the globe...

[DKvsLow]

They just showed Game 5 on SunSports. Classic.

[Domini478]

@micdagreat1 He had 3 good seasons and that was it. He is not one of the greatest to do it.

[rickiu]

@19jrp Agree!

[micdagreat1]

Fuck you Doc Rivers!!Penny Hardaway was not a two-guard playing point.He was a point guard simple and plain and one of the best to ever do it!!

[asilaydying665]

Penny for the win!!! The 2011 ORL magic could use him

[19jrp]

penny was a shooter first kind of player! he is in my top 10 greatest player of all time, i am from MEMPHIS & i watched him as a kid! even tha GREAT #23 (M.J) said penny was tha only guy who could take his spot!! penny was tha truth!!

[19jrp]

penny was tha man!

[Domini478]

@LM0915 Shaq lead the Magic to the finals dumbass. Penny was the sidekick!

[IOYB]

@mikelmok

Actually, both teams combined to shoot 49 threes that game. The three-point shot has always been a huge part of the game since it was incorporated.