2024 Hall of Fame Candidate Receives Jamal Crawford’s Attention in 3-Word Declaration

The 2023 Hall of Fame was a beautiful sight to watch, with some of the most deserving getting their honors at last. The curiosity for the 2024 HOF has already started as an Orlando Magic legend has been put forward as a candidate for the Naismith Memorial Basketball honors. And it’s none other than Penny Hardaway. The big question is, ‘Does he deserve it?’. Well, 3-time 6MOTY Jamal Crawford believes so! 

The NBA veteran shared on his Twitter, “He absolutely should! One of the most special players to ever touch a basketball”. Hardaway spent his prime years with the Magic, and later in Phoenix before he retired with the Miami Heat in 2008. In his rookie year, Hardaway averaged 16 points, and for the next three consecutive seasons, he averaged 20+ points. Apart from the stats, the 52-year-old was a 6’7 guard who gave his opponents a terrible time on the court. 

Crawford, who is known for his impeccable dribbling skills, considered Hardaway to be one of his inspirations and that is a huge reason why he believes the former superstar deserves the Hall of Fame. However, there is another unfamiliar scenario, which shows why he deserves to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial.

The 1996 Olympics legacy will be completed with Penny Hardaway’s HOF honors

Hardaway made it to the Olympic team just three years into the NBA. The 1996 Olympics was a stacked team, with some of the best players in the 90s for all the positions. As the point guard for Team USA, he averaged 9 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.8 rebounds to bring the gold medal. However, what’s fascinating is that every other player from the 1996 Olympics roster has made it to the Hall of Fame, except Hardaway. This goes on to show why he deserves it more. 

Read more: ‘Mister-Do-Everything’: Penny Hardaway’s Former Teammate Explains How the Magic Star and LeBron James Are Alike

As mentioned before, the Magic legend was an unstoppable force in his prime years, and that is exactly why he believes he deserves to be in the HOF. He shared, “If you’re talking about pure play in my prime, I’m better than anybody,”. Well, there is no doubt about it. After his impactful career in the NBA, he decided to take his talents to college basketball, as the head coach of the Memphis Tigers. Hardaway’s contribution to basketball is noteworthy. 

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Do you think Penny Hardaway deserves the Hall of Fame? Share your take in the comments below.