Penny Hardaway Returns to the NBA Alongside Former Teammate Shaq

Penny Hardaway returns to the NBA alongside former teammate Shaq with the Miami Heat, and attempts to bolster the team. Penny has not played consistently since the 2002-2003 season, where he played with the Phoenix Suns. Penny hopes to restart his career here in Miami.

Hardaway, who recently turned 36, has not played in the NBA since 2005 with the New York Knicks, where he only played 5 games due to healthy concerns/injury to his knees. Penny attempts to comeback to the Miami Heat and play with Shaq, who he has not been on the court with for nearly a decade when they suited up together for the Orlando Magic. Penny has not been available for comment nor has Shaq regarding this recent transaction. Fans would agree that this teaming up could result in volatile and interesting interactions, since Shaq has had less than glowing reviews of his former teammate since they parted ways.

Penny offers Miami a chance to bolster their backcourt, and his versatility comes into play for them off the bench. Penny can come in and play either small forward or guard, and provide valuable minuets off the bench to back up their strong but sometimes overplayed starts in those positions, including Dwayne Wade. Wade and other teammates have also been unavailable for comment, but coach Pat Riley had glowing remarks for the potential contributions the former all-start could make to the Miami Heat.

Miami has attempted to acquire some strong players this off-season, and Penny become the second recently brought in. Pat Riley and the Heat recently brought in former Los Angeles Lakers starting point guard Smush Parker to help flesh out the team as well, and has made attempts at other players, including Mo Williams, Jermaine O'Neal and Matt Barnes, but have unsuccessful in acquiring them. After the injury plagued season following their championship run, Miami hope to shore up their reserves in an attempt to deepen their team and provide much needed cushion and relief going deep into the season and playoffs this year.

The Heat offer Penny a chance to rekindle his career, and show that he still has some of the fire and skills that made him a fan favorite in the Orlando area. Returning to Florida and re-teaming with his former center Shaq provides Penny a chance he has not had in nearly a decade, and provides the Miami Heat a chance to return to the NBA finals.