Anfernee Penny Hardaway says Michael Jordan was not his old self in 1995 playoffs

Anfernee Penny Hardaway says Michael Jordan was not his old self in 1995 playoffs
Michael Jordan and Anfernee Penny Hardaway

Orlando Magic’s former player Anfernee Penny Hardaway reveals what it was like to play against Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls in 1995 playoffs. When anyone talks about the 90’s, they refer to Chicago Bulls and their domination. But what 90’s NBA also had, was Orlando Magic establishing themselves in the league. When Shaquille O’Neal came into the Magic in the 90’s, they lacked a premier ball handler. Eventually the spot was filled by Anfernee Penny Hardaway. 

The Magic had a Big 3 back then, consisting of Shaq, Hardaway and Horace Grant. Orlando managed to throw the Chicago Bulls in Game 6 out of the playoffs. Before winning three consecutive NBA Championships, this was the blow suffered by the Bulls via the hands of Orlando Magic. 

“He was not the MJ he was” Anfernee Penny Hardaway 

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Hardaway seems to think that for a while when he returned, he wasn’t the same Jordan who had left. In conversation with Etan Thomas, he said, “I am going to say this because me and MJ are very close. He was not the Michael Jordan from the first three championships, as far as in rhythm. 

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“He wasn’t real rusty because it was the end of the season. He was rusty when he first came back. But by the time they played us in the playoffs, he had kind of hit his groove a lot better than what he was when he had first come back.” 

Hardaway also stated that the league wasn’t the same anymore when he returned. “He wasn’t the MJ he was even the following year in 96, where he was driven. Maybe he thought it was going to be the same easiness that he had left the league with … He ran into a group of young bucks that was ready and maybe he just underestimated how good we were because he had never played against us.” 

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