Anfernee Hardaway to Magic DriveTime: ‘I am Orlando’

Anfernee Hardaway‘s star shined bright for his career in Orlando. He is one of the best players in franchise history. And he wants to be in Orlando more.

Anfernee Hardaway remains one of the most popular players in Orlando Magic history. The dynamic guard took the league by storm in the mid-1990s as part of the Orlando magic’s first title run in 1995.

He was the perfect complement to Shaquille O’Neal and a young team on the cusp of stardom. They quickly ascended to the top of the NBA both on the court and commercially. The Magic were the “it” team.

Hardaway was an All Star every bit as popular and dominant as his counterpart in the post. They were good teammates — the division that separated them was media and organizationally created — and seemed destined for multiple titles.

That, of course, is not how things went down.

O’Neal left. Hardaway remained a star, but his body began breaking down. Hardaway’s career is notable both for his extreme ascendance but also for how quickly his star burned out.

And his exit from Orlando was not particularly friendly either.

Fighting through injuries, Hardaway got cast as the “diva” star not fulfilling his end of the bargain. This despite his constant fight to return. Even as Hardaway returned to Orlando for the 2012 All-Star Game and the 25th Anniversary season in 2014, it was unclear how fans would react.

They of course welcomed him back. And now Magic fans are awash in nostalgia — thanks somewhat to This Magic Moment — and would certainly love to see Hardaway around a bit more.

Hardaway, appearing on Magic Drive Time, said he would like to be around Orlando more.

"“I need to start making more appearances there to come to the games and be around the fans,” Hardaway said. “Because I am so appreciative of Orlando. I am Orlando. Orlando made me. When they link my name, they link my name to orlando and nowhere else. I will always be indebted to Orlando for that and grateful at the same time.”"

Since retiring from the NBA, Hardaway has been working with high school basketball players in his hometown of Memphis.

The story of how he became a coach is a sad one, as chronicled on E:60. But it is ultimately an uplifting one. He joined a friend assisting with his middle school basketball coach. Hardaway’s friend was diagnosed and ultimately died of cancer, and Hardaway stuck with the team, helping guide these young men to victory on the court and off in a difficult neighborhood in Memphis.

Hardaway is currently a high school basketball coach, teaching many of the same lessons. He has been a tremendous and positive influence in the Memphis community.

During the interview with OrlandoMagic.com’s Dante Marchitelli, Hardaway discussed the work he does in Memphis and why it is important:

Magic fans do want to see more of Hardaway. There were a few who wanted to see Hardaway get consideration for the Magic’s vacant coaching position. Hardaway certainly deserves kudos.

Regardless, it would be fun to see Hardaway make more appearances and connect with his fans in Orlando.

As Hardaway notes in the interview, he really pushed to get to Orlando. As it was described in This Magic Moment, Hardaway stayed in Shaquille O’Neal’s ear during the filming of Blue Chips  and pushed for a second workout with the Magic to convince them to pick him.

It all worked out for him in the end. Hardaway was a truly transcendent player. Clearly one of the four best in Magic history and likely the best point guard in team history (if not also the best shooting guard too).

Next: FanSided names all-time Orlando Magic starting lineup

Certainly Magic fans would not mind having Hardaway back in Orlando more often to get nostalgic about his stellar play.