Don’t Call it a Comeback. . .
Penny Hardaway was signed on Thursday by the Miami Heat in a move that makes what was already an old franchise just that much older. Maybe a decade ago this would have been a great signing, but in 2007 one can only wonder if Pat Riley’s brain functions haven’t been altered by the combination of south Florida heat and hair gel. Since 2003, Hardaway has played in a grand total of 83 games and averaged 6.4 points a game. He hasn’t played since 2005, and has spent that time recovering from knee injuries.
The trade does have a retro cache to it–Shaq and Penny in south Florida again together–but practically speaking, it seems fairly useless. The Heat is full of old stars that have difficulties playing long minutes, and when playoff time rolls around after a grueling regular season, who would put money on Shaq, ‘Zo, Penny, White Chocolate, the young-but-always-banged-up Wade, and Antoine Walker frightening anyone in the post-season? The only way this trade really makes and sense is if L’il Penny makes a comeback.
The Heat aren’t the only team looking into going back to the future. Word out of Boston is that the Celtics are trying to tempt Reggie Miller out of retirement. Miller is 42, and has been a commentator for TNT for the past two years. Rumors abound that other retirees such as Allan Houston, Charles Oakley, Shawn Kemp, and Tony Massenburg all have expressed interest in making a comeback. ESPN has an article with all the retirement plans of the geezers.
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