Penny Hardaway Zine

PENNY
Hardaway

Contents
Penny Hardaway 5
Penny Cent Logo 6
Nike Air Penny Shoes 9
3

4 x NBA All-Star 1995-1998
2 x All-NBA First Team 1995-1998
All-NBA Third Team 1997
NBA All-Rookie First Team 1994
NBA Rookie Challenge MVP 1994
Orlando Magic 1993-1999
Phoenix Suns 1999-2004
New York Knicks 2004-2006
Miami Heat 2007
10,684 Points [15.2 ppg]
3,525 assists [5.0 apg]
1,125 Steals [1.6 spg]
3146 rebounds [4.5 RPG]
4

PENNY
HARDAWAY
Anfernee Deon Hardaway aka “Penny” was
born on July 18, 1971 in Memphis, Tennessee.
He grew up just east of downtown Memphis in
the suburb of Binghamton. He was raised by his
grandmother while his mother was away working.
Hardaway’s nickname came as a result of his
grandmother’s calling him “Pretty” with a southern
drawl, but it sounded like “Penny.”
He attended Treadwell during his high school
years. During his time at Treadwell High School he
averaged 36.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.9
steals, and 2.8 blocks as a senior. Parade Magazine
named him National High School player of the
year. At the end he finished his high school career
with 3,039 points.
After high school Hardaway went on to attend the
University of Memphis between 1991 to 1993. In
his first season he led Memphis State to the Elite
Eight. He averaged 20.0 points, 7.7rebounds, 5.9
assists. After his 2nd season he passed up his senior
year in college and opt to enter the NBA to become
a professional player.
In 1993, Hardaway entered the NBA Draft
where he could very well be drafted 1st overall.
He was drafted in the 1st round and was picked
3rd overall by the Golden State Warriors.
He was then traded to the Orlando Magic and was
paired up with up and coming young star Shaquille
O’Neal. He began the season at the shooting guard
while learning to also be at the point guard position
from the veteran Scott Skiles. They would combine
to average 50 points per game during their 1st
season together. He quickly made an impact in the
league and was crowned with the MVP award at
the inaugural Schick Rookie Game. During his 2nd
season they led the Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals
but were swept by the Houston Rockets who were
led by Hakeem Olajuwan.
Name: Anfernee Deon Hardaway
Nickname: “Penny”
Born: July 18, 1971
Height: 6 ft 7 (2.01 m)
Weight: 195 lbs.
Position: Combo guard/Small forward
High School: Treadwell, Memphis, tn
College: University of Memphis
Drafted: 1st round, 3rd pick, 3rd overall
NBA Debut: November 5, 1993
An injury to Shaq at the start of the 1995-1996
season forced Penny to step up and lead the
Magic in scoring during the first few weeks of the
season. He responded to the call and led them to a
franchise record of 60 wins. In the course of that
season he was named NBA Player of the Month
for November, named a starter in the NBA All-Star
Game back-to-back seasons and selected in the All-
NBA First Team for the second year in a row while
averaging 21.7 points, 7.1 assists and 4.3 rebounds.
With endorsements from Nike, they launched the
“Air Penny” series. The TV advertisements featured
“Lil Penny” a wise cracking marionette voiced
comedian Chris Rock.
Unfortunately injuries started to interfere with
Penny’s career. A knee injury in the 1997-1998 NBA
season saw him miss out on most of the season.
At the end of the shortened 1999 season, Hardaway
was traded to the Phoenix Suns. During his time
with the Orlando Magic, Hardaway played 369
regular season games and averaged 19 points, 6.3
assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game. In 45
playoff games he averaged 21.8 points, 6.5 assists,
4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 steals. He then played for the
New York Knicks and Miami Heat until he retired.
5

PENNY
CENT LOGO
Hardaway’s nickname “Penny” has been stuck
with him ever since he was a kid. When he
joined the Orlando Magic, fellow teammate Nick
Anderson already had the No. 25 on his jersey so
Hardaway had to switch it up and wear No. 1.
With his endorsement with Nike, together they
launched the “Air Penny” series which featured “Lil
Penny” a wise cracking marionette voiced comedian
Chris Rock. Penny Hardaway and “Lil Penny” were
featured in numerous TV commercials co-starring
with popular athletes and celebrities like supermodel
Tyra Banks.
With Hardaway having to switch his jersey number
to No. 1 and having “Penny” as his nickname, the
marketing plan composed by Nike, worked out
perfectly for them. This resulted in the creation
of the his personal logo which features the No.
1 and letter ‘C’ combined together to make the
cent logo. The design works well because a Penny
is equivalent to 1¢ Or 1 cent thus creating the
‘Penny Cent’ logo in 1995.
Penny was regarded as one of the most popular
players in the NBA during the 1990’s. His persona
was pursued by several major brands. He gained
endorsements from major brands such as Coca Cola
Company, Wilson, Upper Deck and his sizable most
influential endorsement was of course, Nike.
6

What’d you think the first time you saw the 1 Cent logo?
“I thought it was sick! I thought it was crazy, and it was just this supped up 1 Cent sign, and the
1 was highlighted in blue, and it was just crazy. Right away I knew that they had done an amazing
job with this logo, and it was just great.” - Penny Hardaway
7

PENNY
SHOES
9

NIKE AIR
PENNY ONE
The Nike Air Penny One was released in 1995.
It was the 1st signature shoe in the ‘Air Penny’
signature line. The Air Penny One featured a Max Air
bag for impact protection and the newly developed
Tensile Air, later renamed Zoom Air, for court feel.
It also has a pinstripe design on the tongue which
is inspired from the Orlando Magic uniforms.
The Nike Air Penny One was known for it’s enlarged
swoosh and Air Max Unit, and for the unveiling of
the Penny “1 Cent” logo.
10

‘Home’ Colourway
All White & Varsity Royal Blue
‘Orlando’ Colourway
Black,White & Varsity Royal Blue
‘Road’ Colourway
All Black
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‘Atlantic’ Colourway
White & Atlantic Blue
‘Road’ Colourway
Black,White & Varsity Royal Blue
12

NIKE AIR
PENNY II
Following the release if the 1st Air Penny’s, 1996
saw the release of the Air Penny Two. It kept to the
same basis as the 1st model with a couple of face-lifts
added to it. The shoe with the classic Nike Basketball
cushioning system with Zoom Air in the front,
Max Air in the heel.
It featured a supportive wing on the sides and 3M
lining around the shoe and ankle patch. 3M reflects
light when it hits it giving a holographic aesthetic to
the shoe. The Air Penny Two featured a fascinating
ocean current motif on the upper that grabbed the
attention of sneaker fans around the world.
The II also included Zoom Air for the first time. Was that something that you requested or
were familiar with?
“No, not really, it was something that they put in there, and when I just put them on, right
away I knew that it just felt great. It was a great shoe, and they really did an unbelievable job
with this shoe.”
13

NIKE AIR
PENNY III
In 1997, Nike released the Air Penny Three.
This model included the essential elements with
the usual Zoom Air and Max Air. Continuous
innovation from Nike, this shoe featured Foamposite
panels on the side of the shoes. Foamposite was
a new unconventional material from Nike which
molded to your feet to give it a snug fit and maximise
movement when running.
It also was fitted to with a seamless inner bootie that
supplied supreme comfort. This acted like a sock
that wrapped around your foot to reduce slippage
inside and provide extra cushion and comfort.
14

‘Home’ Colourway
White & Royal Blue
‘Road’ Colourway
Black & Royal Blue
With the Penny III, they went back to a mostly leather shoe, but how important was it to
keep the Foam along the sides of the shoe?
“Oh it was very important, because when they made these, it was different than anything
I had ever had in terms of the style of it, but I also knew right away that it was a rugged
shoe that I felt like I could do a lot in. They were comfortable as always, and I really
enjoyed this shoe for sure.”
15

With injuries plaguing Hardaway’s career and
being traded to the Phoenix Suns, the Air
Penny Four was released in 1998 just after his time
ended with the Orlando Magic.
The shoe featured the visible Max Air unit in the
heel, a woven midsole which wrapped around the
outsole and for the first time in the Air Penny series
it had a Velcro strap. The Nike Air Penny 4 utilized a
flat no-show upper that concealed the laces.
NIKE AIR
PENNY IV
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‘Home’ Colourway
Black,White & Varsity Royal Blue
When you went onto the Penny IV, there was no longer any Foamposite, but did you still like
how this shoe turned out?
“I actually really loved this shoe a lot. Everything was done well, and I liked how you got in it
and just were strapped in. The 1 Cent logo was on the middle of the tongue, a bit bigger, and
that was the best, though. I loved that. They also had “Penny” written on the tongue for the first
time. These were crazy, too, like all my other ones.”
‘Orlando’ Colourway
Black,Varsity Royal & White
17

‘Royal’ Colourway
Dark Neon Royal & Black
Was there anything different in the feel of the shoe because it was a Foamposite?
It was just a different feel overall because of the material that was on the entire shoe. It was a
more snug fit, and it was also a bit more narrow. It didn’t even really matter at that time, though.
No matter what, I was going to wear it because they were just so different and crazy.
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NIKE AIR
FOAMPOSITE
ONE
Surprisingly the most popular Penny shoe isn’t part
of the Air Penny series, The shoe was actually
never intended for Penny Hardaway but for Scottie
Pippen but since Royal Blue design fit so perfectly
Nike went with Hardaway instead.
In 1997 just before the Air Penny Three, the Nike
Foamposite One was released. It features Nike’s
Foamposite which is formed from a liquid and
poured into a mold. It also had a icy translucent sole
which allows you to see through to the carbon fibre
plated midsole.
The Nike Air Foamposite One stands as one of the
most iconic, sought after shoe to have ever been
created. The futuristic design and manufacturing
process was a true testament to Nike’s progressive
and innovative thinking.
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Nike Inc.
One Beaverton Drive
Beaverton OR 97006
Telephone: 503-671-6453
© 2014 Ken Flores