Hardaway to suns

[DJessen33@aol.com]

Hardaway's baggage? Carry it
The Arizona Republic
June 3, 1999 
Spoiled, pampered, a coach killer at age 27. 

A fire starter, a blame thrower, the first to find a lifeboat when the 
water gets choppy. 

Pick a bad trait, and it probably has been used in describing Little 
Penny. The person, not the puppet. 

So, when can Anfernee Hardaway get here? 

Of all the bold strokes the Suns are considering to recharge an 
organization low on wattage, this is a slam dunk. A chance to put legs 
on the floor and bodies back in the seats. A chance to instantly change 
the look and appeal of a sleep-inducing, church league basketball team. 

If it means sending Tom Gugliotta to the Orlando Magic, great. If they 
have to throw in Scott Skiles, fine. Because the answer Hardaway 
provides is greater than the razor blade suitcase he carries, and if 
Bryan Colangelo can pull off this one, the Suns become an attraction 
once again. 

Just like that. 

A bit misguided
No doubt, Hardaway - dubbed And-for-me by an Orlando columnist - has 
become quite an enigma in recent years. He chased Brian Hill all the way 
to Vancouver and now is questioning his relationship with Chuck Daly, 
the kind grandfather of NBA coaches. He could never handle the enormous 
spotlight left behind by Shaquille O'Neal, and he has never understood 
the accountability of franchise players. 
And if you don't think he's a bit misguided, here is how he reacted to 
the reams of negative criticism he has received in Orlando: 

"I'm sure that Mr. Rich DeVos (owner) or John Gabriel (general manager) 
has the power to call the (Orlando) Sentinel - if they really wanted me 
here - and say, "Hey, we don't want you writing these negatives articles 
about this kid. This is the same way we lost Shaq. Don't do that.' " 

All of which makes him standard fare in the NBA, and in this case, there 
is always the hope of reform. He wants to play in the Western 
Conference, in an up-tempo offense. Here, he could feed off the 
brilliance of Jason Kidd. Liberated by a fresh start, less pressure and 
a steady diet of assists from the point guard. 

If you observed the Suns last season, you understand that a cattle drive 
is more exciting. Quicker, too. How many times would Kidd race up the 
court and wonder where his teammates were? This team needs speed to keep 
up with the pace horse, a team craving athleticism in the worst way. 

And face it. The Suns don't need Gugliotta, a wonderful, self-made 
player who roams about like a bull in a china shop. He is an ill fit for 
this team, and his presence only exacerbates the limits of Luc Longley. 
Trust me on this one: The deficiencies of a 7-foot Australian would 
hardly be noticed if Antonio McDyess were flying around, swatting shots, 
recovering on defense. 

Too many play-alikes 
Longley and Gugliotta are simply too much alike to exist in the same 
lineup. The Suns have too many forwards. They need to commit to Pat 
Garrity, who showed all signs of being the real deal. They need some 
serious sizzle, and since Longley will get you Chris Dudley and a 
kangaroo to be named later, Gugliotta is the only expendable asset. 
If Colangelo can get this thing done, he will acquire a marquee 
off-guard with size and flash. He can go after Mitch Richmond with the 
$2 million exception. He still has the ninth pick in the draft and the 
$1 million slot to offer. 

He will ring the alarm clock of apathy, and the Suns will be instantly 
relevant. And if nothing else, they will provide a reason to watch. 

If it all seems too obvious, too good to be true, understand the tide is 
low in Orlando. 

Hardaway and the organization have had just about enough of each other, 
and all that's missing are the parting shots. He is there for the 
taking, with one requirement. 

"It has to be somebody who wants me for me . . . and not having to be 
the superman," he told the Sentinel. 

Good enough for me. Besides, the Suns already have their superhero.D