Over the years, NBA fans have witnessed many players develop their iconic signature moves. Their mastery of the moves always leaves fans in awe.
Players like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, or LeBron James each have a unique move: there is hardly anyone who can do it better than them. For James, it is his amazing ability to pull off an iconic chase-down block. On the other hand, Kobe had mastered the fadeaway shot.
For Jordan, it was iconic dunks such as the cradle dunk or the one from the free throw line. Today, we are not talking about any of them, but a signature move of former Orlando Magic star Penny Hardaway.
Hardaway’s smooth step back jumper was one of a kind. Since Penny, many players have tried those moves, but it is quite obvious that Hardaway’s was a notch above the rest.
An NBA fan on Twitter asked a question if any player has pulled off this signature move since Hardaway in 1997.
Has anyone hit this move since 97’? pic.twitter.com/fwDwvFGmgT
— Hoops (@HoopMixOnly) August 31, 2021
You can probably guess many fans started submitting their entries for the same and a detailed debate about the same started in the comments section.
Wiggins did this with ease pic.twitter.com/gSnm8x8wIP
— GG (@BullsSznn) August 31, 2021
— underdog psychosis (@jadensity) August 31, 2021
— Luis (@loumon3y) August 31, 2021
I feel like this would normally get blocked more times than not. Looks cool tho.
— Shoma Sawamura🦉 (@MadmanCarter) August 31, 2021
https://twitter.com/PijoeTillman/status/1432856724302671872
No cuz ur crossing their face with the ball kinda high and if you’re mildy good at defense you can time the ball. Like Marcus Smart describes
— Anti Colonial Sports Fan (@LwftCoffeeMate) August 31, 2021
All these replies still ain’t it. If you notice Penny kinda takes more of a side step on his changing his starting position on the spin will the others really don’t move anywhere, ending up where the initial dribble before the spin took place
— Marth (@itscalledtwitta) August 31, 2021
https://twitter.com/chris55839368/status/1432543020537221125
The “Fake Spin step back jumpshot “ is older than you think but there definitely wasn’t any video back in the days to show this But I believe Earl The Pearl Monroe used this move Someone should ask Earl 🤔
— OYOMA MCCARLEY (@yodafresh1) August 31, 2021
Nope not yet one of kind #Penny Hardaway pic.twitter.com/SvA8UUpITx
— Walid (@walid37881347) August 31, 2021
Not that I’ve seen.
and the best thing about it: it was probably impromptu. instinctive…Spontaneous. NOT MADE “in the lab” No so-called “skills trainer” involved
— 🇺🇸 (((RealClayDade))) 🇺🇸 (@ClayDade) August 31, 2021
No they play against talent now
— Browns (3-2) (play Steelers twice) (@WouldKurt) August 31, 2021
That was filthy, haha! I would give anything to see Damian Lillard or Steph Curry down a three with that one!!
— Hashan Williams (@HashanWilliams) August 31, 2021
Nope!! Penny was that dude💯💪🏾
— Jay Dubb (@DJ_DubbleUp618) August 31, 2021
https://twitter.com/hockeywatcher31/status/1432741764113342472
Pre-injury Penny was something else. Probably would’ve been a HOF’r… but definitely fun to watch those first few years in the league.
— Matthew Smith (@MDSnizzo74) August 31, 2021
A half spin with a step back. Never could comprehend this move till now
— Ma Binu 🫵🏿 (@RootBeerPapi) August 31, 2021
https://twitter.com/GMaDMaNNx/status/1432703385996824589
Okay so someone is gonna post this once a month now?
— AARON COVINGTON (@BearCov) August 31, 2021
Wiggins did it to Bron last year not as clean tho
— The Black Sheep (@Yourhighness032) August 31, 2021
Many fans believe that the move was quite unique and not many players since have done it. On the other hand, a lot of fans also think that it is not that hard and we have seen many players do it.
Well, whether or not the players pulled it off with 100% accuracy is the point here. Regardless, one thing that everyone can agree on is how good of a player Hardaway was before the injuries.
If he wasn’t constantly sidelined due to injuries, he might even have entered the basketball Hall of Fame. But as it turned out, his career was derailed due to injuries and he never reached his full potential.
Hardaway peaked quite early in his career and had amassed 3x All-Star selections. Once he returned from a serious injury, he was never the same.
What are your thoughts about the signature move of Penny Hardaway? Do you think any current players can do it?
