that article that CLAIMS penny hasn't been heard from, and is awol... thats bull****... and the ANONYMOUS TEAMATE that said "its not fair man!." why could we not put the players name? i dont buy that ****... thats like a cheap shot move by a journalist if you ask me... anyways heres a more realistic article in which the writer actually has CONTACT with the player...

this "penny has a bad attitude" **** is bogus... like he ACTUALLY said, **** this team, i'm going to memphis to vacation...

gimme a break...


Injured Knick Cringes From Afar
By HOWARD BECK

Published: April 10, 2005


The losses piled up at a dizzying pace - close calls mixed with blowouts, stout performances sandwiched by poor efforts - until two losses became four, and four became nine, and soon the Knicks' playoff hopes were dead. It was an ugly scene for anyone to witness, made tougher for Penny Hardaway because he was helpless and hundreds of miles away.


"It's awkward because the season is still going on," Hardaway said yesterday, speaking by phone from Memphis, his hometown.

A nagging injury to Hardaway's right hamstring forced him to the injured list for the second time this season on March 21. Acupuncture has been the best remedy for the pain, and so - with the blessing of the team's president, Isiah Thomas - Hardaway returned home.

He is being treated by Dr. Orlando Lee, a local acupuncturist who helped him recover from the injury in January. Hardaway initially sought treatment in New York, but could not get the daily attention that Dr. Lee provided.

"He's making my body feel incredible," Hardaway said.

But the hamstring is still not sound, and Hardaway conceded that his season - like that of his teammate Allan Houston - was over. He plans to return to New York later this week but does not plan to play again. With the Knicks eliminated from playoff contention, there is no point in risking further injury.

"I'm not going to go out there to just be out there," Hardaway said.

It is possible then that Hardaway - who arrived 15 months ago in the Stephon Marbury trade - has played his last game in a Knicks uniform.

Thomas has repeatedly said that he views the expiring contracts of Hardaway and Tim Thomas as trading chips to be used this summer. Hardaway has one year and $15.75 million remaining on his deal.

"I don't even think about it, honestly," said Hardaway, who was offered to Toronto earlier this season in a package for Vince Carter. "Until Isiah calls me and tells me he's doing something, then I won't even expect that."

The Knicks are showing a preference for young and athletic guards, pushing Jamal Crawford and Trevor Ariza into major roles. Even before Hardaway's hamstring began to act up again, his opportunities were diminishing. So a season that began with great promise has brought only disappointment.

Hardaway - whose All-Star career was derailed by five knee operations - reported to camp in October saying he was in his best shape in six years. At age 33, and coming off an impressive run in last year's playoffs, he was looking forward to a career revival.

Despite the injuries, Hardaway thrived when given a chance. In 11 games, from Jan. 28 to Feb. 16, he averaged 11.9 points on 51.5 percent shooting. But an ankle sprain early in that streak set him back and put pressure on the hamstring.

Meanwhile, Coach Herb Williams was refocusing the offense to give increased post-up chances to Mike Sweetney and Tim Thomas. As the hamstring worsened, Hardaway's minutes and scoring chances shrunk.

"It's been a really rough year," he said.

just because Zeke approved the away from the team rehab doesn't mean his teammates (or any single teammate) isn't bitter about him not being there. It's not like he's going to play again this season either way, couldn't he have waited to go back to Memphis and shown some solidarity?

Acupuncture has been the best remedy for the pain, and so - with the blessing of the team's president, Isiah Thomas - Hardaway returned home.

He is being treated by Dr. Orlando Lee, a local acupuncturist who helped him recover from the injury in January. Hardaway initially sought treatment in New York, but could not get the daily attention that Dr. Lee provided.

you mean to tell me he couldn't find a good acupuncturist in NYC that could attend to him daily? do you believe that's the real reason why he can't travel with the team when guys like Allan Houston & even Tim Thomas can?

We should not pick on penny. Hes a great guy, a great teamate, a great philatropist, likes to work with kids, and he rebounds and pumps his guns to be ready just in case.

He is like another coach working with the young guys teaching them how to be more professonal. Like how to take care of your body, eating right, and preventing injury. He is a prideful man who only cares about winning!

His charism was so genuine as a young player they had to keep him quiet, so they got chris rock and invented the "little penny doll"! This way he would not be more important than the product itself!

Yeah, I miss Anfernee!

This team can suck so bad they made Anfernee look good at times!