Penny Hardaway

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

As Ray has reported, in the WEEI interview, Pitino confirmed that he'd
be interested in a talent like Penny Hardaway. He noted that Penny has
been disgruntled with all of his coaches so what would make Hardaway
think he'd be happy playing for Pitino? But Pitino said that he'd certainly
be interested in acquiring him in a sign and trade.

Orlando is an aging team; with the retirement of Daly, they may be looking
to get younger with players that can complement their recent draft class
of Doleac and Harpring. Last year it was reported that they attempted to 
trade Hardaway for Kendall Gill and Sam Cassell before Hardaway nixed the
deal. Given that, I would think that a package of Mercer and Anderson,
or Mercer, Battie, and Barros, could entice the Magic to part with Hardaway 
(and also work under CBA rules) - especially since they are tired of his act.

I am not sure that Orlando would be interested in Anderson because of the
emergence of Darrell Armstrong. The second trade might work better - in a
few years, Mercer takes over for Anderson, Battie takes over for Horace 
Grant, and Barros backs up Armstrong.

The Celtics receive a very talented player with questionable character.
He second guesses the way his coach uses him and complains about treatment
from Orlando fans; can't imagine he'd like the Fleetcenter "boo every shot"
treatment. 

He thinks of himself as a shooting guard but would probably fit in best at 
point guard for the Celtics. Some have noted that he doesn't have tremendous 
point guard skills but I think he's better than sufficient for Pitino's 
system (run up the floor, give it up to the guy in the high post). 
He wouldn't suffer from being posted up like our smaller point guards, 
could post up the other team's PG and pass out of double teams. His 
scoring skills would not needed as much as they were in Orlando because 
the Celtics have Pierce and Walker to take that load.

Alex