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Former 4x NBA All-Star Reflects on His Time With the Magic

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Reign Amurao | Last updated May 9, 2025 12:13 AM ET

During the early years of the Orlando Magic, the franchise struck gold when it formed a dynamic duo. They had back-to-back lottery picks in the early 1990s and drafted center Shaquille O'Neal and guard Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway. With the two stars, the Magic became instant contenders.

In Hardaway's rookie season, the Magic made its first playoff appearance. The team was led by O'Neal, who finished fourth in MVP voting in his sophomore year. In the 1994-95 campaign, Orlando surprised everyone when they made it to the NBA Finals.

Although the Magic was eventually swept by the Houston Rockets, the young team showed promise. Unfortunately for Orlando, O'Neal opted to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 and left his co-star.

Nearly 30 years since the O'Neal-Hardaway breakup, people still reminisce about what the duo did in just four years. In the recent episode of "The OGs Show," the former four-time All-Star had a moment of reflection about his time with Shaq.

“We had to be one of the teams that had the best roster that didn’t win a championship, honestly,” Hardaway said. “That team was special. The early years was just like rock stars.”

“That was a crew, man. They put that team together. It was unfortunate that we didn’t stay together. The big fella got wooed by the Lakers.”

Penny Hardaway on his time with the Orlando Magic pic.twitter.com/4r7dsqByGO
— The OGs Show (@theOGsShow) May 9, 2025

In the end, the current Memphis Tigers head coach said he understood why O'Neal couldn't reject the glitz and glamour of L.A. The former LSU standout went on to win three straight titles with the late Kobe Bryant as a member of the Lakers.

Hardaway, though, stayed in Orlando until 1999. Injuries derailed his career as he played for the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks before retiring in 2006. In the 2007-08 season, the 6-foot-7 guard came out of retirement and joined the Miami Heat to reunite with Shaq.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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