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I remember this game. It was a honor to watch this live. I was a huge Magic fan back then and Penny was my fav but Kobe is truly incredible. The best shot maker I ever seen.
Yep. Penny was sitting out most of the season due to injury but for some reason he came back to play this game because I guess it was against Shaq. Kobe couldn't be denied.
Kobe taking on a seasoned Penny and guarding him while also scoring. Kobe wasn't afraid of any challenge. When you are taking it upon yourself as the best scorer on your team and deciding to guard the best scorer on the other team is one of a kind.
@@fmwop2492 no flaws like kobe? Kobe was a better defender a better shooter and just as good a play maker, there was literally nothing Penny did better than Kobe. You are just a hater...
After Shaq left, Penny did an interview in Slam magazine. They asked Penny how many points he thinks he would average in the next year. He said 37-40. He scored 20 a game that year. He didn't understand how much Shaq's presence helped his offensive game. Btw, When Shaq left the Lakers, Kobe scored 35 a game! There's levels to this shit.
I never knew that that doesn't sound Penny like far as him boasting about averaging high scores considering most of his interviews he would constantly talk about elevating his teammates like Horace, Nick And D Scott after Shaq left. but them injuries humbled him quickly if he did say that.
It was also the injuries that slowed him down though. Now, I’m not saying he would’ve scored 40 a game without Shaq, but when Shaq got hurt for a long stretch I’m 95, Penny was averaging 27 without him. I believe a healthy Penny would’ve been in that ball park.
stop watching interviews and actually watch the game penny was that dood it was only injuries you would know this if u actually watched, instead of re hashing stats and highlights
he was already hurt when shaq left. Part of shaq's decision for sure. Not long later he was basically done being an all star player. so the cliche levels comment doesn't really apply.
This was NBA basketball at it's absolute peak. Don't get me wrong, I loved the Warriors recent dominant era but the 2000's brand of basketball was super competitive and super fun to watch. Seems like everything now is space the floor and keep shooting 3s until you catch up and just try to outshoot the other team.
I always like throw Wade in that mix. Yes he's already accomplished a lot as is, but most people don't know he had his meniscus removed in college. The reason his 3pt shot wasn't consistent, and why he was hobbled so many years is because he ran all those years without a shock absorber in one of his legs. The 2 play off series he had before Bron showed up the man was shooting 7 3pa per game and converting them at a 40% clip. Would be interesting to see where he ends up with a full set of legs. One of the few players with a real chance of getting 5+ rings.
This was a young bouncy and spry Kobe who was coming into his own in terms of mastering Jordan's footwork and jump shot. Penny was in his prime but hobbled by knee injuries. I wish we could've gotten to see the 95-96 version of Penny versus this version of Kobe.
@Steve Worcs Kobe vs penny 2000 playoffs suns vs lakers he was 5 knee surgeries into his career look at that match up when they went back and forth listen to Jordan tell Dr j he was passing the torch to penny before penny knee injury !
Yep Penny played on one leg and the doctors didnt have the technology yet to properly see what was wrong with him. In that series, u can see him literally dragging his leg. And he still averaged 20! Penny Vs Kobe wouldve been one of the greatest rivalries ever. And T-Mac was coming regardless to Orlando so that wouldve been absolutely nuts.
💯Absolutely 💯. Prime Penny with his thoro elegance and IQ was a breath of fresh air. HOWEVER Kobe was a soul snatcher with his uber athleticism and kill will clutch Gene especially in that#8 jersey.
I would’ve loved to see this matchup if Penny never got injured. It would’ve been one of the best matchups ever . T Mac vs Kobe was always great but I believe Kobe vs Penny, would’ve been even better . I think people forgot how good Penny was .
This was one of the few times before Penny injuries got the best of him , that him and Kobe really went at it . This was not prime Kobe, but you can tell he started to become Mamba that year . It was a great matchup . That’s why it really hurts that Penny’s injuries got the best of him because it had us miss out on two legends go at each other . It didn’t look like either one could stop the other .
@@YoungMaster_626 I think he probably would’ve offensively , but defensively, Penny healthy, would’ve gave it right back to T Mac . Penny was no joke before the injuries and I am not discounting how good prime T Mac was averaging 33 or 34 ppg , but Penny was lethal and could’ve averaged that before his injuries but he played with Shaq and played more the Magic Johnson role .
Penny Hardaway was great you all see Kobe Bryant with his shoes on you watch Michael Jordan wear his shoes in a playoff game the kid from Memphis Tennessee was great
It just shows that even though Penny was dominant he needed help because other teams were getting younger and faster and that's hard to compete against! Penny held his own when he could and that's why he's one of the best guards whose ever played in the NBA!👊✊👍
I was just a kid back then. I was a big fan of both of these two teams and Penny was my man. Having watched NBA basketball for less than two years, but I recall that this game had such a special feel to it. It clearly was the best game I had seen to that point and still today it's stored in my memory. Obviously why I'm here rewatching it :-)
Penny came into the NBA extremely fundamentally sound before being Stripped of his hops and athleticism. GRANT HILL was already really athletic but had bad surgeon's that derailed his whole career
This was after Penny's 1st botched knee surgery and he still looked like a allstar level player in this game. Orlando wasn't getting much bench production and Nick Anderson wasn't as confident or lost his offensive aggressiveness since he missed them free-throws in them 1995 finals.
My 2favorite players of all time both these dudes just special and this game encapsulates Kobe so much he had so many games where he just decided nope we not losing 2night... Not 2these dudes and more specifically for him not that dude
Now I can see why Tracy McGrady was more inspired by Penny than Michael Jordan. It even shows and Tracy McGrady style of play. I bet Kobe Bryant was thinking to himself "this is deja vu".
Great game young Kobe playing with tremendous heart showing early on that Mamba mentality and Penny showing even injured and maybe even playing at 75 percent he was a great player and honestly i don’t think he disrespected Kobe at all he was asked a question in he gave great advice was he arrogant probably and he explained why dude was huge back then who wouldn’t let that sh!t go to their heads.
This clip was refreshing seeing some of Penny's highlights that were flashes from his unsucked up Prime and alot of hard core Kobe fans don't even realize that Penny was coming off of his 1st botched knee surgery in this Clip and he still looked a cut above average.
He did me the same thing when I asked for a pic and he said no kid , that was my first and last basketball game I went to, Nick Anderson said hey kid take the pic and I took a pic of Nick… I can never forget that..
Damn. Nick Anderson was Solid but Penny had a low conceded vibe before he had them injuries But He got Humbled fast. However I'd rank him behind Jordan and kobe if it wasn't for his injuries
Penny was holding on to the end of his Prime in this 1999 season ,sh*t Penny was in full survival mode in this game knowing there wasn't No room for error playing against Shaq and especially Kobe. 😳. Lol kobe definitely was seeking to expose Penny while he was already a step or so slower after his first surgery masking a bum knee ...
@clintonpeabody4833 on paper 7yrs might seem young but after u have 2 or 3 bad surgeries out of 4 in that 2 yr span back then most players would've retired or career would've been over even in 7th or 8th season considering he played 2 yrs of college and sat his freshman yr.. which made him 22yrs old in his rookie year in Orlando .
So Penny had a double double and Kobe scored alot.. both were great.. I really wish we would have gotten to see them both play each other un their primes and healthy
Penny was the Kobe before Kobe. Penny had instant league mvp performance first yr in the league that took Kobe and LeBron yrs to reach. If not injured he’s be in the goat conversation.
Kobe carried himself like he was MJ even in highschool, i saw a lot of interviews of older player saying this dude think he's mike even when he was younger. What a confident baller, Im not even a kobe fan but I miss kobe's attitude and play style.
That's why Penny he's A the hall of fame legend. Except the injuries killed my City an stop his unbelievable play style. As yall see he made the NBA compete on the level yall watch today
Like Tracy, Pierce, Vince, A.I. and a few others - Penny never established the level of discipline and work ethic that Kobe did. His attention to his body and mental strength are some of the key factors that separated him from his counterparts. Even in this game, Kobe is already thicker and more bodied that Penny ever was. That’s because he already knew how important his conditioning and strength were going to be for his overall legacy and longevity. #mambamentality
You don’t know basketball Penny was all nba 1st team in only his 2nd year in league only Duncan and Bird ever did that. Penny blew both knees that had nothing to do with discipline and work ethic. For him to continue to play on 2 blown knees is work ethic just to be able to get back on the court. Greatness comes with health when talking longevity learn what that is before making a bogus statement like you did.
@@marioweaver4097 I'll take this comment and move through it like Kobe did most of his injuries... next time you drop a line, speak as if the person is seated right in front of you. Respect goes a long way in this world.
@@LuigiPissani you obviously don’t know ball Kobe never had like 8 surgeries on both his knees. Kobe and Penny my favorite players ever but I call it how it actually is. Only 3 players in history was 1st team all NBA in their 2nd year Bird, Duncan, and Penny go look it up. I state facts not opinions
Forget all that sympathetic “aww penny” . The FACT is, penny talked crap and shrugged us off, so we had to obliterate him. And that’s what we did. Ain’t that right mamba 👌🏾😇 rip goat Bryant
I've always felt that could have happened both ways in Hindsight. Because kobe always stressed to younger players to go to college of course unless u are just extrodinary then Go get that bag. But I didn't agree with Penny shrugging kobe off from taking a pic if it was a Tru story. BOTH Penny, Kobe, were my favorite guards from 90s along with VanExel and SPREEWELL to watch.
R i p Kobe Bryant! But that's about it put some respect on Penny Hardaway name ASAP. The only player in the 90s to remove Jordan from a playoff run. And don't tell me Jordan was out of shape he'll he averaged 30 in the playoffs matter fact 32. And had games of 55 and so on. Kobe Bryant could not even stop a Penny Hardaway in 2000 who was hobbled with injuries. Kobe is no slouch but Penny what's the next level so sit back on the couch and let me school you better mr. Anfernee Penny Hardaway
you really comparing a young kobe who haven’t even reached his prime yet to a veteran like penny who had the experience and skill. let 06-08 kobe bryant go against him and lets see how he does.
Nick Anderson went against Jordan in that series, Penney was a point guard back then, Nick Anderson was the one who stole it from him at the end of the final game of it I think, Nick was from Chicago he wanted to beat his hometown badly!
Kobe was actually salty because Penny destroyed him in a charity game where Kobe attempted to guard Penny the entire game one on one. If any of you know Penny in a one on one situation very few could stop him. Penny got the upper hand in that game and Kobe never let that go
@@JR-kv6ez chooooo chooooo we hoppin on ya momma train right now in the bak lemme kno if u want us to tag u in it sound nasty but u might get down like dat i donno
You have to understand Penny in that situation. Kobe wasn’t the only top prospect that looked up to Penny at that time. Kobe just that 1 in a million players that turned out to be that 1 great. But in 1994-1995 Kobe was just a high schooler and Penny was a top 5 nba player at that time. Penny wasn’t even looking at college players so I know he wasn’t recognizing high school players. All these so call Kobe fans need to cut it out with they knew he was going to be a legend day one. Those first 3 years of his career it wasn’t great for him. But from 2000 on he became that legend.
I used to actually own those black Adidas KB8 II models had the same pair Kobe wore on-court , had his K8B stamped on the inside ankles. I regret selling them .
Is it a coincidence that once Kobe got better and became a star,the Lakers became a championship contender. Not how dominate Shaq was,he needed Kobe to be great 💯
It's not Penny fault he didn't know him. Kobe had a massive ego too. People always expect everyone should know them. Penny was too busy at his young age focusing on himself getting settled in the league.
The turn around fadeaways that was Micheal Jordan Kobe studied absorbed mjs advice and went on to have a mamba career, a year before Phil Jackson came to the Lakers
For NBA heads. Just want you to all know. Post injury Penny on the Phoenix Suns cooked Kobe in playoff match up. Well I'm not knocking Kobe but what I mean is Penny still out played and his high IQ for the game was on display. Another note is this. The first loss the 72 win Chicago Bulls got that season was to Penny without Shaq. Shaq was out start of the season hurt for a couple of months and Penny went off for like 38 and beat the mighty undefeated Bulls. That Magic squad also had 4 key injuries in the playoffs
To be honest it was injury's but depression from being in the finals one year and your #1 leaves that will hurt you. Go from beating Jordan going to the finals and your big man leaves he was hurt more than injury's sometime it's mental
We all know who Kobe is and what he bought to the game but for anyone who don’t know penny was every bit of what Kobe was a little less of a score first and much more of play maker first but every bit the equal
