The NBA has seen some legendary duos over the years—Jordan and Pippen, Kobe and Shaq, LeBron and Wade. However, one partnership often gets overlooked despite its sheer potential: Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway.
In the mid-90s, this duo electrified the league and put the Orlando Magic on the map. But did they share the court, and if so, what happened to this dynamic pairing? Let’s rewind the tape and break it all down.
The Birth of the Magic Duo Called Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal
It all started in 1992 when the Orlando Magic selected O’Neal as the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. The 7-foot-1, 300-pound center immediately became a force to be reckoned with, winning Rookie of the Year. In his first season, he averaged a jaw-dropping 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game.
Fast forward to the 1993 NBA Draft, and the Magic had the No. 1 pick again. Initially selecting Chris Webber, traded Webber to the Golden State Warriors for Hardaway and three future first-round picks.
Together, O’Neal and Hardaway became the young, exciting faces of the NBA. Their chemistry was undeniable, their alley-oops unstoppable, and their swagger infectious. But would their dominance last?
The 1994-95 season was when the Magic (pun intended) started to happen. With O’Neal manning the paint and Hardaway orchestrating the offense, the Magic finished the regular season with a 57-25 record—good enough to claim the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
They eliminated Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the second round (yes, MJ was back wearing No. 45), then outlasted Reggie Miller’s Indiana Pacers in a thrilling seven-game series to reach the NBA Finals. O’Neal averaged 28 points and 12.5 rebounds during the playoffs, while Penny scored 21.7 points and seven assists per game.
However, the dream run ended abruptly when Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets swept them in the Finals. Despite the tough loss, the future looked incredibly bright. But in sports, nothing is guaranteed.
After their Finals appearance, the Magic were again a top contender in the 1995-96 season, finishing with an even better 60-22 record. O’Neal and Hardaway continued their dominance, but behind the scenes, tensions were rising.
First, there was O’Neal’s contract situation. The Magic, hesitant to offer him a max deal, let negotiations drag on. Meanwhile, rumors swirled that he wasn’t thrilled about sharing the spotlight with Hardaway, who was rapidly becoming a superstar in his own right.
Then came the infamous 1996 Eastern Conference Finals. The Magic were swept by the Bulls, who now had Jordan fully back in championship mode. That summer, O’Neal became the most sought-after free agent in NBA history. The Magic lowballed him with a $54 million offer, while the Los Angeles Lakers swooped in with a seven-year, $120 million deal. The decision was easy for O’Neal—Hollywood was calling.
The Aftermath: What Could Have Been
His departure sent the Magic into a downward spiral. While Hardaway still put up substantial numbers, injuries began to plague his career. He played only 59 games in the 1996-97 season and never fully regained his explosiveness. By 1999, the Magic had traded him to the Phoenix Suns, officially ending the Hardaway era in Orlando.
Meanwhile, O’Neal formed another legendary duo with Bryant in Los Angeles, winning three straight championships from 2000 to 2002. On the other hand, Hardaway became one of the biggest “what-if” stories in NBA history. Had injuries not derailed his career, could he have been one of the all-time greats?
Years later, both O’Neal and Hardaway reflected on their time together. O’Neal admitted that his ego played a role in their separation, stating:
“I should’ve stayed in Orlando. We had something special.”
The 90s were filled with duos that defined basketball, but few had as much potential as O’Neal and Hardaway. Unfortunately, contracts, egos, and injuries cut their time short, but they were basketball poetry in motion for a brief moment.
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So yes, they did play together, and while they never reached their full potential as a dynasty, they remain one of the NBA’s most beloved “what if” duos. Imagine if they had stayed together just a few more years—how many championships could they have won?
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