The GOAT debate in basketball is a never-ending saga, with players and fans constantly weighing in on who reigns supreme. From Kobe Bryant’s relentless emulation of Jordan’s style to LeBron James’ sustained dominance, several contenders have tried to stake their claim. And now, an ex-NBA star has given a new narrative.

During the recent episode of the Out the Mud podcast, Anfernee ‘Penny’ Hardaway addressed a statement by Trevor Ariza, who had boldly claimed that Penny was better than Michael Jordan. Penny didn’t outright agree but said his skill set was like Jordan’s, great at everything, versatile, athletic, and had stellar basketball IQ.

“I’ll say this because everybody can say MJ is the GOAT, right? But when you got guys that understand what they like in somebody’s game — playmaking, passing, shooting — my skillset was higher than MJ’s. So that’s probably what he (Trevor Ariza) is like, man he’s better than MJ from a skillset point of view. MJ is the GOAT, I’ll show that love,” said Hardaway during the podcast.

Penny Hardaway squared off against Michael Jordan in 13 regular-season games and five playoff matchups, holding his own against the basketball legend. Across these encounters, Hardaway posted respectable averages of 20.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, impressive for a player often overshadowed by MJ’s brilliance.

One of Hardaway’s most notable moments came during the 1995 NBA Playoffs when his Orlando Magic defeated Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. This rare blemish on Jordan’s postseason career highlighted Hardaway’s impact, even though Jordan still dominated statistically, averaging 30.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in the series.

Individually, Hardaway’s career was remarkable but marred by injuries. At his peak, the versatile guard averaged 15.2 points, 5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds, showcasing his elite playmaking and scoring ability. Yet, comparing his career to Jordan’s is almost unfair. Jordan’s unparalleled resume—including six NBA championships, five MVP awards, 10 scoring titles, and a Defensive Player of the Year award—places him in a league of his own.

Hardaway’s reflections invite fans to delve deeper into the GOAT debate, emphasizing that skill set and potential also deserve recognition, even if they fall short of Jordan’s dominance. Interestingly, Hardaway didn’t just discuss Jordan during the podcast, leaving fans with more intriguing insights into his experiences and perspectives.

Hardaway was an inspiration for LeBron James

When LeBron James entered the NBA in 2003 as the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers, the basketball world buzzed with excitement over his talent. But did you know that LeBron, who is naturally left-handed, chose to switch his dominant shooting hand to emulate one of his idols, Penny Hardaway?

During a recent podcast, Hardaway reflected on this surprising connection. When asked about his influence on LeBron, he shared, “LeBron and I, when we meet up, we chop it up. He’s another guy who appreciates the skill set and the IQ of the game. So yeah, man, he studied my game.”

Hardaway also revealed conversations with LeBron’s longtime friend and agent, Rich Paul. “I talked to Rich Paul about that years ago, and you know LeBron has often sought me out as one of his favorite players. I appreciate that because I just tried to play the game at a high level and show up every night,” said Hardaway.

LeBron himself acknowledged this influence in a 2018 interview, where he credited Hardaway and Michael Jordan for shaping his game. “I don’t know how I became a right-handed basketball player. I think it’s probably Michael Jordan and Penny Hardaway—guys I looked up to growing up. Seeing those guys shooting righty, I said, ‘I guess I’ll shoot righty.’ I’m pretty much a left-handed guy. I don’t take many of those shots, but I’m capable of making them and I work on my craft. I work on both hands,” said James.

Inspired by Hardaway’s example, LeBron has carved out one of the greatest careers in NBA history. With four championships and over 41,000 career points, James has transcended the sport, cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats.

So, the next time you watch LeBron dominate on the court, remember the subtle but profound influence of Penny Hardaway behind his iconic journey. What do you place Penny on your all-time list? Tell us in the comment section below!