1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,000 >> female announcer: This is a 2 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,000 production of WKNO, Memphis. 3 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:05,000 Production funding for "Sports 4 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Files" is made possible in part 5 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:09,000 by.. 6 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:17,000 >> Gaston: My guest today on 7 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:19,000 "Sports Files" is former Memphis 8 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:20,000 Tigers All-American and NBA All- 9 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:24,000 Star Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway. 10 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:37,000 >> (instrumental music) 11 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:40,000 ♪♪♪ 12 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:42,000 >> Gaston: Happy New Year 13 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:43,000 everyone. 14 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:44,000 The city of Memphis, and the 15 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,000 surrounding metro area, has been 16 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:48,000 known for many years as a haven 17 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:50,000 for some of the best round ball 18 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:51,000 players in the country. 19 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:53,000 In sports terms, when asked for 20 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:54,000 a Memphian to describe their 21 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:56,000 home, the usual response is 22 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:57,000 "It's a basketball town". 23 00:00:57,000 --> 00:00:59,000 The list of star basketball 24 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:00,000 players that have called the 25 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:02,000 area home is both extensive and 26 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:03,000 impressive. 27 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:05,000 But the three names that will 28 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:06,000 stand the test of time are 29 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:08,000 Larry, Keith and Penny. 30 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:09,000 As in Finch, Lee and Hardaway. 31 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:11,000 Today, the legendary Penny 32 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:12,000 Hardaway joins me to talk about 33 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:14,000 his impact on the University of 34 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:15,000 Memphis then and now. 35 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:17,000 His commitment to the community 36 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:19,000 and his financial stake in the 37 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:20,000 Memphis Grizzlies. 38 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:22,000 And later Penny and I will be 39 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:23,000 joined by Travis Haddock, the 40 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:25,000 creator of one of the top high 41 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,000 school basketball tournaments in 42 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:28,000 the country, which just so 43 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:30,000 happens to bare the name of 44 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:31,000 Penny. 45 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:32,000 It's a full out, full court 46 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:34,000 press with Anfernee "Penny 47 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:35,000 Hardaway" next on "Sports 48 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:37,000 Files." 49 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:46,000 >> (instrumental music) 50 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:49,000 ♪♪♪ 51 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:51,000 >> Gaston: Penny, happy New 52 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:52,000 Year. 53 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:53,000 Thanks so much for being with 54 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:54,000 us. 55 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:55,000 >> Hardaway: Thanks. 56 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:57,000 >> Gaston: I know you're always 57 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:58,000 up to a lot of different things 58 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:00,000 but right now you're coaching 59 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:01,000 this Lester Middle School. 60 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:02,000 And it's become a big story 61 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:03,000 nationally. 62 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:05,000 Tell us about coaching and how 63 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:06,000 much you enjoy going back to the 64 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:07,000 roots. 65 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:09,000 >> Hardaway: Well it started 66 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:10,000 last year. 67 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:11,000 I joined a team. 68 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:12,000 We had such a successful season 69 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:14,000 that CNN got interested, came in 70 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:15,000 and did an article on the team. 71 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:17,000 The article got so many hits on 72 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:18,000 the website. 73 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:19,000 So we're writing a book right 74 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:20,000 now. 75 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:22,000 And then the movie will be 76 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:23,000 coming out in the near future, 77 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:25,000 "Behind the Lester Middle Team." 78 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:26,000 So I'm very excited about that. 79 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:28,000 >> Gaston: So it will be more 80 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:29,000 like a documentary? 81 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:30,000 >> Hardaway: A documentary and a 82 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:31,000 movie. 83 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:32,000 >> Gaston: Wow! 84 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:33,000 >> Hardaway: Yes. 85 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:35,000 >> Gaston: You going to play 86 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:36,000 yourself? 87 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:37,000 >> Hardaway: Yes I am. 88 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:38,000 No, really-both are going to 89 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:39,000 happen. 90 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:41,000 >> Gaston: How about that? 91 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:42,000 Now is this something?-the 92 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:43,000 coaching aspect. 93 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,000 Because you didn't jump in to it 94 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:46,000 once you retired from the NBA. 95 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:47,000 Do you see yourself coaching 96 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,000 down the line?-maybe in college 97 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:50,000 or high school or anywhere. 98 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:52,000 Or do you just like what you're 99 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:53,000 doing? 100 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:54,000 >> Hardaway: I'm not sure. 101 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:56,000 I really like what I'm doing 102 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:57,000 right now because I really went 103 00:02:57,000 --> 00:02:58,000 back to my community and the 104 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:00,000 Binghampton community to try to 105 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:02,000 give back to the school and to 106 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:03,000 the community and it ended up 107 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:04,000 having a great team. 108 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:05,000 And a lot of people came in 109 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:07,000 nationally and recognized that. 110 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:08,000 And I really haven't thought 111 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:09,000 further than that. 112 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:11,000 But I really like what I'm doing 113 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:12,000 right now with Lester Middle. 114 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,000 >> Gaston: Well as I said 115 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:15,000 earlier, I don't know when you 116 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:16,000 sleep because you're always 117 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:17,000 doing things. 118 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:19,000 And now you've made a financial 119 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:20,000 commitment to the Memphis 120 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:22,000 Grizzlies. 121 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:24,000 What do you think about being a 122 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:25,000 part owner of an NBA team? 123 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:27,000 >> Hardaway: It's a dream come 124 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:28,000 true. 125 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:29,000 I mean, to be able to play 126 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:30,000 basketball for a living was 127 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:32,000 great but to be able to be paid 128 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:33,000 and play basketball was even 129 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:34,000 better. 130 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:36,000 But to be able to buy in to the 131 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:37,000 team is unbelievable to even 132 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:39,000 fathom because I never thought 133 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:40,000 that I would be an owner. 134 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:41,000 You know, my dream was to play. 135 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:43,000 And after I played, I never 136 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:46,000 thought that this opportunity. 137 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:48,000 >> Gaston: Once Robert Pera took 138 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:49,000 over, they brought in a lot of 139 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,000 owners for this minority group- 140 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:52,000 Justin Timberlake, a fellow 141 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:53,000 Memphian, and other. 142 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:55,000 They're in entertainment and 143 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:56,000 some are in business but you're 144 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:57,000 a former player and a star 145 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:58,000 player at that. 146 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:00,000 And your friend Elliot Perry, 147 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:01,000 another former Tiger great and 148 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:02,000 NBA player. 149 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:04,000 So do they look at you in a 150 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:05,000 different light 151 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:07,000 >> Hardaway: Well what happened 152 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:08,000 initially, they wanted me to 153 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:10,000 come and be involved just from 154 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:11,000 the community standpoint of 155 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:13,000 trying to bridge the gap between 156 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:14,000 the fans, the community and the 157 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:15,000 Grizzlies. 158 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:17,000 And while I was doing so, the 159 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:18,000 opportunity came about to be in 160 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:19,000 the minority ownership. 161 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:20,000 But yeah, definitely. 162 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:22,000 I'm going to bring hopefully my 163 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:23,000 basketball knowledge to the 164 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:26,000 situation. 165 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:28,000 But being able to just loan some 166 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:29,000 things to the player and to the 167 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:30,000 coaching staff and to the 168 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:32,000 organization from my knowledge. 169 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:33,000 >> Gaston: So you're coaching 170 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:34,000 Lester. 171 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:36,000 You're obviously keeping an eye 172 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:37,000 on what the Grizzlies are doing 173 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:39,000 as a part owner of the team. 174 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:40,000 And of course, your beloved 175 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:41,000 Memphis Tigers. 176 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:43,000 You're at many games. 177 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:45,000 What do you think about this 178 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:46,000 Tiger team that again, was 179 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:47,000 nationally ranked, dropped out 180 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:49,000 very quickly after they 181 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:50,000 sputtered in the Bahamas, and 182 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:51,000 now trying to get their legs 183 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:52,000 back. 184 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,000 What do you think of this team 185 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:55,000 this season? 186 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:56,000 >> Hardaway: Well it's been 187 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:58,000 interesting because a lot of 188 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:01,000 guys haven't really stepped up. 189 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:02,000 I mean, especially on the 190 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:03,000 defensive end. 191 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:04,000 I think everything that's been 192 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:06,000 in the history of Memphis 193 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:07,000 basketball has restarted with 194 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:08,000 defense first and then offense 195 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:09,000 second. 196 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:11,000 And I think this year's team has 197 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:12,000 to buy in to that effect. 198 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:14,000 And I'm sure Josh is screaming 199 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:15,000 and telling them that but it has 200 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:17,000 to transfer over in to the games 201 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:19,000 because you have to win games. 202 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:20,000 >> Gaston: Penny, you were one 203 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:21,000 of the guys who lived in 204 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:22,000 Memphis, played for your 205 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:24,000 hometown team and had a lot of 206 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:25,000 success. 207 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:27,000 There have been others that have 208 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:28,000 struggled. 209 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:29,000 How hard is it for the Memphian 210 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:31,000 to stay at home and play for the 211 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:32,000 University of Memphis? 212 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:33,000 >> Hardaway: It's very hard 213 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:35,000 because a lot of kids can't 214 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:36,000 handle that pressure. 215 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:37,000 If you do decide to stay at home 216 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:39,000 and you're a superstar player, 217 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:40,000 there's going to be a lot. 218 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:41,000 You carry the entire weight of 219 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:43,000 the city on your back and that's 220 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:45,000 something that I welcome because 221 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:46,000 I felt like I could handle it. 222 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:47,000 But it's not for everybody. 223 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:49,000 It's just once the pressure 224 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:50,000 starts to build when you're not 225 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:52,000 playing well, you have to be 226 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:53,000 able to handle that and channel 227 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:55,000 it towards working harder and 228 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:56,000 >> Gaston: A lot of the blame 229 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:57,000 when the team struggles-and 230 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:59,000 there's a number of Memphians on 231 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:01,000 the team-but it happens to fall 232 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:02,000 on the shoulders of Joe Jackson. 233 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:04,000 Joe Jackson's playing terrific 234 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:05,000 basketball right now. 235 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:06,000 He seems to have weathered the 236 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:07,000 storm. 237 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:09,000 What do you think about this 238 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:10,000 young man and the pressure he's 239 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,000 had, the King of Memphis. 240 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:13,000 They don't expect you to be an 241 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:14,000 all-American. 242 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:16,000 So there's been a lot of heavy 243 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:17,000 weight that he's had to carry. 244 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:18,000 >> Hardaway: Well, the city 245 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:20,000 expects a lot out of Joe. 246 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:21,000 It's not something that, you 247 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:22,000 know, that it's a surprise to 248 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:24,000 him because he expects a lot out 249 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:25,000 of himself. 250 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:26,000 Like you said, he's weathered 251 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:27,000 the storm. 252 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:29,000 They were very hard on him. 253 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:30,000 I mean, some of them was 254 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:31,000 rightfully so. 255 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:33,000 But a lot of it was unfair. 256 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:34,000 But that's the title that you 257 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:36,000 get when you stay at home and 258 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:37,000 you're a hometown hero. 259 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:38,000 And they expect for you to come 260 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:39,000 in and win. 261 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,000 And I'm so happy to see him 262 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:42,000 playing well right now. 263 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:43,000 >> Gaston: You are a terrific 264 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:44,000 alum of the University of 265 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:46,000 Memphis not only with your 266 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:48,000 support, being at games. 267 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:50,000 Everybody knows the million 268 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:51,000 dollars you gave to the hall of 269 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:53,000 fame which is now in your name, 270 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:54,000 the Anfernee Penny Hardaway 271 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:55,000 Athletic Hall of Fame. 272 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:57,000 How cool is it to drive by that 273 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:58,000 street and see your name up 274 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:00,000 there knowing-Hey, that's me! 275 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:01,000 >> Hardaway: It's unbelievable 276 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:02,000 man. 277 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:04,000 I tell my friends these type of 278 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:05,000 things don't happen to people 279 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:06,000 until they pass away. 280 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,000 You know you get the greatest 281 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:09,000 things when you pass away which 282 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:10,000 is the saddest thing. 283 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:12,000 But to be able to drive by and 284 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:13,000 see my name on the building and 285 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:15,000 be able to enjoy it and go 286 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:16,000 inside of there and see some of 287 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,000 the things that we've done-the 288 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:19,000 athletes have done-over the 289 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:20,000 history of the University of 290 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:22,000 Memphis makes me feel great 291 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:23,000 because it's right behind the 292 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:24,000 dorm room that I stayed in my 293 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,000 freshman year. 294 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:27,000 I mean, it's great. 295 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:28,000 It just took back the memories 296 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:29,000 back. 297 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:30,000 >> Gaston: if you could change 298 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:32,000 one thing from your playing days 299 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:34,000 at the University of Memphis-one 300 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:35,000 moment, one game-what would it 301 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:36,000 be? 302 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:38,000 You could change one thing. 303 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:39,000 >> Hardaway: When I played? 304 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:40,000 >> Gaston: Mhmm. 305 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:41,000 >> Hardaway: That Cincinnati 306 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:43,000 game that we lost in the Elite 307 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:44,000 Eight. 308 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:45,000 I wish that I could have just 309 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:47,000 changed that just to get to the 310 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:48,000 Final Four. 311 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:49,000 I wanted to win a championship 312 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:50,000 that year. 313 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,000 I mean, it was all Memphis guys 314 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:53,000 on the team. 315 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:54,000 That was something that was 316 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:56,000 unheard of-everybody being from 317 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:57,000 the same city on one team. 318 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:58,000 And we went so far. 319 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:00,000 If I could change that, I would. 320 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:01,000 >> Gaston: How tough was that?- 321 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,000 knowing you were that close. 322 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:04,000 >> Hardaway: Well when we got 323 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:05,000 the draw, you know, when 324 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:07,000 Cincinnati-I think they beat 325 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:08,000 UTEP. 326 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:09,000 UTEP almost beat them that game. 327 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,000 I was hoping for UTEP because I 328 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:12,000 understood the dominance that 329 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:14,000 Cincinnati had against us but 330 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:15,000 when we got Cincinnati it was 331 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:17,000 like-Hey, we know what we have. 332 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:18,000 They used to us. 333 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:19,000 We used to them. 334 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:20,000 Let's go out and play the game. 335 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:21,000 And they were just-they were 336 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:23,000 just better. 337 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:24,000 We just didn't get over the hump 338 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:26,000 but I wish I could get that game 339 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:27,000 over. 340 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:28,000 >> Gaston: Do you have any 341 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:30,000 regrets from your playing days? 342 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:31,000 Is there anything that you would 343 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:32,000 change? 344 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:34,000 >> Hardaway: At University of 345 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:35,000 Memphis? 346 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:36,000 >> Gaston: Mhmm. 347 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:37,000 >> Hardaway: No, not at all. 348 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:39,000 I mean, I think I left school in 349 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:40,000 a timely fashion and when I had 350 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:42,000 to because I was going to be a 351 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:43,000 top three pick. 352 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:44,000 Academically I had achieved 353 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:45,000 things that I wanted to achieve 354 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:47,000 because I was on the Dean's 355 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:48,000 list. 356 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:49,000 There really wasn't anything 357 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:51,000 left but my family being in the 358 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:52,000 situation that we were in. 359 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:53,000 But I really don't have any 360 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,000 regrets at the University of 361 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:56,000 Memphis. 362 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:57,000 It was one of the best times of 363 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,000 my life being there because I 364 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:00,000 was able to be home. 365 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,000 I was very successful there. 366 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:02,000 And we were winning. 367 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:03,000 What more could ask for? 368 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:05,000 >> Gaston: You move on to the 369 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:06,000 NBA. 370 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:07,000 Success right there from the 371 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:08,000 get-go, all all-star. 372 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,000 And then obviously you had the 373 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:11,000 injuries later in your career. 374 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:13,000 I would guess if I ask you the 375 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:14,000 question about regrets for the 376 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:16,000 professional career, it would be 377 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:17,000 having to cut the career a 378 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:18,000 little bit short, right? 379 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:20,000 >> Hardaway: Well I think the 380 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:21,000 biggest regret I have was that I 381 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:23,000 didn't get my self well after my 382 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:24,000 first surgery. 383 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:25,000 I kept playing--trying to be 384 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:27,000 tough, trying to play through 385 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:28,000 the pain. 386 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:29,000 And it ended up haunting me. 387 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:31,000 Like now, I see guys sit out for 388 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:32,000 long periods of time. 389 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:34,000 Like Derrick Rose is out and the 390 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:35,000 Bulls are saying don't come back 391 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:36,000 until you're ready. 392 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,000 >> Gaston: Yeah, it wouldn't 393 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:39,000 happen today. 394 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:40,000 >> Hardaway: No, back when I 395 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:41,000 played, they kind of was like 396 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,000 -"Hey, we need you on the floor. 397 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:44,000 "At 50 percent, you're better 398 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:46,000 than what we would have out 399 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:47,000 there." 400 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:48,000 So you were kind of, you know, 401 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,000 pushed in a direction of going 402 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:51,000 back out on the floor. 403 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:52,000 And I hate that I did that. 404 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:54,000 >> Gaston: Best player you 405 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:55,000 played with, best player you 406 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:56,000 played against in the NBA. 407 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,000 >> Hardaway: Best player I 408 00:09:58,000 --> 00:09:59,000 played with was Shaq. 409 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:00,000 >> Gaston: Sure. 410 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:01,000 >> Hardaway: And the best player 411 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:03,000 I played against was Michael 412 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:04,000 Jordan. 413 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:05,000 >> Gaston: That's some pretty 414 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:06,000 good choices. 415 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:08,000 Alright, let's take Shaq and MJ 416 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:09,000 out of it. 417 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:10,000 Who would be second then? 418 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:11,000 >> Hardaway: I would say Jason 419 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:13,000 Kidd was the second best player 420 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:14,000 I played with-unbelievably 421 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:15,000 awesome. 422 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:17,000 And the second best player that 423 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:18,000 I played against would have been 424 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:19,000 - 425 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,000 Gary Payton. 426 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,000 >> Gaston: Gary Payton-Glove. 427 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:23,000 >> Hardaway: Gary was very tough 428 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:25,000 defensively and offensively. 429 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:26,000 >> Gaston: Penny, how did Little 430 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:27,000 Penny come about? 431 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:29,000 >> Hardaway: Little Penny came 432 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:30,000 about because of my shyness. 433 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:32,000 I wasn't really like outspoken 434 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:33,000 and there was an advertisement 435 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:35,000 agency called Wieden and Kennedy 436 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:36,000 that worked for Nike. 437 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:37,000 Came up with the idea that-Hey, 438 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,000 we should get an alter ego, 439 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:40,000 someone that's going to talk 440 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:41,000 smack because you won't. 441 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:43,000 And your game-I just let me game 442 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:44,000 talk for itself. 443 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:45,000 So they were like-We'll let 444 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:47,000 somebody talk your game for you. 445 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:48,000 And I was like-You know what? 446 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,000 That sounds pretty good because 447 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:51,000 I thought I love comedy and I 448 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:52,000 knew it would be funny. 449 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:54,000 And it just ended up just being 450 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:55,000 a great idea. 451 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:56,000 >> Gaston: Do you have a Little 452 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:58,000 Penny puppet in your house? 453 00:10:58,000 --> 00:10:59,000 >> Hardaway: I do have one. 454 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:01,000 I do have a Little Penny puppet. 455 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:02,000 >> Gaston: Do you have any idea 456 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:04,000 how many were made?-how many 457 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:05,000 were manufactured. 458 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:06,000 >> Hardaway: I think they made 459 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:08,000 them way too late because we 460 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:09,000 didn't really jump on it when we 461 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:10,000 needed to. 462 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,000 But I don't know how many were 463 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:13,000 made. 464 00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:14,000 >> Gaston: Do you remember any 465 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:15,000 funny outtake from the 466 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:17,000 commercials or anything you were 467 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:19,000 involved with with Little Penny? 468 00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:20,000 Of course the voice, Chris Rock- 469 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:22,000 that was something that would 470 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:23,000 never air because it was an 471 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:24,000 outtake. 472 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:25,000 Anything that you an bring up? 473 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:27,000 >> Hardaway: No, not really 474 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:28,000 because I never filmed on set 475 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:29,000 with Chris. 476 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:31,000 He did his part, his voiceover, 477 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:32,000 and I heard the voiceover as I 478 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:33,000 was talking. 479 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:35,000 And that was my first time 480 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:36,000 hearing it as well as everyone 481 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:37,000 else. 482 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:39,000 And I laughed every take because 483 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:40,000 I was laughing at what Little 484 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:41,000 Penny was saying because I 485 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,000 hadn't heard it until the point 486 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:44,000 and when I got in to the 487 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:45,000 commercial. 488 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:47,000 So the outtakes were me probably 489 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:48,000 laughing at what Chris was 490 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:49,000 saying. 491 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:50,000 (laughter) 492 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:52,000 >> Gaston: How different is the 493 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:53,000 game today? 494 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:54,000 I mean, we talked about 495 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:55,000 injuries. 496 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:56,000 Obviously if you got hurt in 497 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:58,000 this day and age, you would not 498 00:11:58,000 --> 00:11:59,000 have played through it. 499 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:01,000 They would have taken care of it 500 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:02,000 medically before you were back 501 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:03,000 in the game. 502 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:04,000 But other than that, what 503 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:06,000 different do you see in the game 504 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:07,000 today in 2012 than when you 505 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:08,000 played? 506 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:10,000 >> Hardaway: I think it's our 507 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:11,000 game was a lot tougher. 508 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:12,000 You could hand check. 509 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:13,000 You could play more physical. 510 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:15,000 It took a lot more to get a 511 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:16,000 foul. 512 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:17,000 Nowadays Commissioner Stern 513 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:18,000 wants the points to be up and 514 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:20,000 not down, you know, for 515 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:21,000 entertainment. 516 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:22,000 So every little touch foul now 517 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:23,000 is a foul. 518 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:25,000 And that makes the game, to me 519 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:26,000 and the old school guys, a lot 520 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:27,000 worse but it helps the fan 521 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:29,000 understand that it's about 522 00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:30,000 offense. 523 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:31,000 They want it to be more 524 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:32,000 offensive in the NBA versus when 525 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:33,000 I played. 526 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:35,000 >> Gaston: We're going to go 527 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:36,000 back to the University of 528 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:37,000 Memphis and again, you're not 529 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:39,000 only involved with financial 530 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:40,000 commitment but I'm sure there 531 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:42,000 are a lot of times when they 532 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:43,000 confer in you, they ask you 533 00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:44,000 about things. 534 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:45,000 What is your take on this Big 535 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:47,000 East situation? 536 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:48,000 >> Hardaway: You know, it's 537 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:49,000 really hurtful seeing what's 538 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:51,000 happening, you know, right now. 539 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:52,000 >> Gaston: Once you got in, 540 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:53,000 right? 541 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:55,000 >> Hardaway: Yeah, once you got 542 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:56,000 in. 543 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:57,000 I love the move because the move 544 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:58,000 is needed. 545 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:00,000 You know we needed to get to a 546 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:01,000 bigger conference and we did so. 547 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:03,000 And then all of a sudden, the 548 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:04,000 teams that we were going to play 549 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:05,000 against are leaving. 550 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:07,000 But there's nothing we can do 551 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:08,000 about it. 552 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:09,000 I mean, I love making that 553 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:10,000 change though. 554 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:12,000 It gives us recruiting in that 555 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:13,000 area, you know, in the east 556 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:15,000 where we really couldn't recruit 557 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:16,000 the New York kids and the DC 558 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:17,000 kids. 559 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:18,000 Now we can recruit those kids. 560 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:20,000 And the Big East is still better 561 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:21,000 than where we are right now. 562 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,000 Not to dog our conference but 563 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:24,000 it's still going to be better 564 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:25,000 teams. 565 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:27,000 >> Gaston: There's always the 566 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:28,000 question whether or not a player 567 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:30,000 plays, goes to the school for 568 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:31,000 the school or for the coach. 569 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:33,000 And most of the time, our answer 570 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:34,000 is the coach. 571 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:35,000 But would you have come? 572 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:36,000 Would you have stayed at home 573 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:38,000 and played for Memphis no matter 574 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:39,000 who the coach was? 575 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:41,000 >> Hardaway: Yes, I would have 576 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:42,000 stayed home because I was just a 577 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:43,000 home guy. 578 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:44,000 I love the University of 579 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:45,000 Memphis. 580 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:47,000 The teams with Andre Turner and 581 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:48,000 Keith Lee and those guys really 582 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:50,000 sold me on the University of 583 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:51,000 Memphis. 584 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:52,000 And I bled blue and grey. 585 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:53,000 So I wasn't going to go 586 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:54,000 anywhere-even today. 587 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:56,000 >> Gaston: So you were an easy 588 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:57,000 sell? 589 00:13:57,000 --> 00:13:58,000 >> Hardaway: Yes. 590 00:13:58,000 --> 00:13:59,000 >> Gaston: I could have 591 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:00,000 recruited you. 592 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:01,000 >> Hardaway: Yes, it was easy. 593 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:03,000 >> Gaston: Alright, you have a 594 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:04,000 passion for golf now. 595 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:06,000 And I know you still play pick- 596 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:07,000 up basketball and you love the 597 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:08,000 game of basketball. 598 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:09,000 But you really have fallen in 599 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:11,000 love with the game of golf. 600 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:12,000 Why?-What's the connection? 601 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:14,000 >> Hardaway: It's so competitive 602 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:15,000 and a lot of people don't 603 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:16,000 understand you can't beat the 604 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:17,000 game. 605 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:19,000 You can go out one day and shoot 606 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:20,000 a low score. 607 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:21,000 And the next day, it's a high 608 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:22,000 score. 609 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,000 And that drives me crazy because 610 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:26,000 basketball comes so easy to me. 611 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:27,000 And golf is so difficult. 612 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:28,000 And I think it drives me to be 613 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:30,000 perfect in an imperfect game. 614 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:31,000 So that's why I love golf so 615 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:32,000 much. 616 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:34,000 >> Gaston: Do you have your own 617 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:35,000 instructor? 618 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:36,000 >> Hardaway: I do. 619 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:37,000 >> Gaston: So you work hard on 620 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:38,000 it. 621 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:40,000 You just don't go out there and 622 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:41,000 play and have fun. 623 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:42,000 You want to be good and you want 624 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:44,000 to be the best you can be when 625 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:45,000 you go out there on the links, 626 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:46,000 right? 627 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:48,000 >> Hardaway: Absolutely. 628 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:49,000 Like I said in sports, 629 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:50,000 everything has come to me very 630 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:51,000 easily. 631 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:53,000 And then to get in to golf and 632 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:54,000 everything be a struggle, I had 633 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:56,000 to get instruction and try to 634 00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:57,000 get myself to a scratch level or 635 00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:59,000 a plus handicap level so I can 636 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:00,000 enjoy the game. 637 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:01,000 >> Gaston: Well it's a fantastic 638 00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:03,000 career that you've had. 639 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:04,000 Obviously it's a great life that 640 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:06,000 you have and we're real happy 641 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:07,000 that you've done so much for 642 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:08,000 this community and helped out 643 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:09,000 everybody here, Penny. 644 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:11,000 It's been an absolute pleasure. 645 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:13,000 We like to end our interviews. 646 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:14,000 And of course you'll be here 647 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:15,000 when Travis joins us to talk 648 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:17,000 about Penny Hardaway's Hoop 649 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:18,000 Fest, another thing certainly 650 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:19,000 you're involved in. 651 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,000 But we end our interviews with 652 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:22,000 five for the road. 653 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:23,000 So five questions from me. 654 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:24,000 Real quick answers. 655 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:25,000 Whatever comes to mind first. 656 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:27,000 Favorite professional team as a 657 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:28,000 kid growing up? 658 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:29,000 >> Hardaway: Dallas Cowboys. 659 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:31,000 >> Gaston: Dallas Cowboys! 660 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:32,000 Still a Cowboys fan? 661 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:33,000 >> Hardaway: Yes, yes. 662 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:34,000 >> Gaston: Tough one. 663 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:35,000 >> Hardaway: Yeah. 664 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:36,000 >> Gaston: Fan of Tony Romo? 665 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:37,000 >> Hardaway: I am, I am. 666 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:38,000 (laughter) 667 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:40,000 >> Hardaway: But I've been a 668 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:41,000 Cowboys fan for a very long 669 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:42,000 time. 670 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:44,000 >> Gaston: Favorite professional 671 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:45,000 athlete-any sport. 672 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:46,000 >> Hardaway: Deion Sanders. 673 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:47,000 >> Gaston: Primetime! 674 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:49,000 Favorite musician or singer or 675 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:50,000 group or band? 676 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:51,000 >> Hardaway: That's tough. 677 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:52,000 Favorite musician of all time? 678 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:53,000 >> Gaston: Yes. 679 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:55,000 Are you more old school music or 680 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:56,000 new school? 681 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:57,000 >> Hardaway: I'm old school. 682 00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:59,000 I could say someone like - 683 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:00,000 You can't go wrong with Marvin 684 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:01,000 Gaye. 685 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:03,000 >> Gaston: Marvin Gaye-Alright. 686 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:04,000 Final two. 687 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:05,000 Favorite television show of all 688 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:06,000 time. 689 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:08,000 >> Hardaway: Man, I'm a TV Land 690 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:09,000 guy! 691 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:10,000 I love TV. 692 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:11,000 That's hard to do. 693 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:12,000 Favorite TV show of all time. 694 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:13,000 >> Gaston: Tough one. 695 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:14,000 >> Hardaway: Yeah. 696 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:15,000 I would say- 697 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:17,000 >> Gaston: You said you have a 698 00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:18,000 sense of humor. 699 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:19,000 Is there a comedy you like? 700 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:21,000 >> Hardaway: Yeah, it's going to 701 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:22,000 be, 702 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:23,000 I love, like, "Red Fox"-like 703 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:24,000 "Sanford and Son" and those 704 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:26,000 shows. 705 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:27,000 >> Gaston: I watched that with 706 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:28,000 my father when I was a kid. 707 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:30,000 >> Hardaway: I would say 708 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:31,000 "Sanford and Son." 709 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:32,000 >> Gaston: It was back to back. 710 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:33,000 You're too young. 711 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:34,000 You watch the replay. 712 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:35,000 You watched the reruns. 713 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:37,000 I watched the first run with my 714 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:38,000 father when it was "Sanford and 715 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:40,000 Son" and "Chico and the Man" 716 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:41,000 when it was back to back. 717 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:43,000 Alright, favorite movie of all 718 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:44,000 time? 719 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:45,000 It has to be-does it not? 720 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:46,000 Blue Chips? 721 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:47,000 >> Hardaway: Blue Chips is one 722 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:48,000 of them. 723 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:49,000 There might be one. 724 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:51,000 One could be A Soldier's Story. 725 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:52,000 >> Gaston: A Soldier's Story- 726 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:53,000 great movie! 727 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,000 What was that like, by the way?- 728 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:56,000 real quick. 729 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:57,000 We're running out of time. 730 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:59,000 But playing in a movie-Blue 731 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:00,000 Chips. 732 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:01,000 Nick Nolte, of course. 733 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:02,000 >> Hardaway: Nick Nolte was 734 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:03,000 great. 735 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:04,000 It was fun. 736 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:05,000 It was a lot of hurry up and 737 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:06,000 wait. 738 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:08,000 But I really enjoyed being in LA 739 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:09,000 for the summer filming that 740 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:10,000 movie. 741 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,000 >> Gaston: Have you, by the way, 742 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:14,000 had a chance to go and play pick 743 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:15,000 up with Jason Levien and the 744 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:16,000 guys over at the Grizzlies? 745 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:17,000 >> Hardaway: Not yet. 746 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:19,000 We will do that this year for 747 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:20,000 sure. 748 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:21,000 >> Gaston: Absolutely. 749 00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:22,000 Thank you, Penny. 750 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:23,000 >> Hardaway: Thank you for 751 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:24,000 having me. 752 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:25,000 >> Gaston: Hang in there. 753 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:27,000 We're going to get Travis 754 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:28,000 Haddock. 755 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:29,000 We'll talk about Penny 756 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:30,000 Hardaway's Hoopfest in just a 757 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:31,000 moment. 758 00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:32,000 We'll take a quick break. 759 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,000 When we come back, time for 760 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:35,000 Overtime. 761 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:37,000 Memphis entrepreneur Travis 762 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:38,000 Haddock came to Penny two years 763 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:40,000 ago to be a part of what Travis 764 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:41,000 was hoping would become one of 765 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:43,000 the nation's top prep basketball 766 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:44,000 tournaments. 767 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:45,000 The result? -- the Penny 768 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:46,000 Hardaway National Hoopfest. 769 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:48,000 This year's second annual event 770 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:49,000 will take place next week, 771 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:52,000 January 10th through the 12th, 772 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:53,000 Travis, last year was 773 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:54,000 sensational-your first year 774 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:55,000 around. 775 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:57,000 Second year-You're getting ready 776 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:58,000 for bigger and better things. 777 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,000 You've changed around a little 778 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:01,000 bit. 779 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:02,000 >> Haddock: We changed a little 780 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:03,000 bit. 781 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,000 We decided to regional. 782 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:06,000 We already knew it was 783 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:07,000 recognized nationally very well 784 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:08,000 but we wanted to also 785 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:10,000 regionalize the event to 786 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:11,000 include-add-another day so we 787 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:14,000 can get some more Memphis teams. 788 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:15,000 You know, and we like the way 789 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:16,000 this is turning out. 790 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:18,000 >> Gaston: So Dyer County for 791 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:19,000 the first two days. 792 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:20,000 The White Station High School. 793 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:21,000 >> Haddock: That's correct. 794 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,000 >> Gaston: You've also added an 795 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:24,000 event in Las Vegas. 796 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:25,000 >> Haddock: the Penny Hardaway 797 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:27,000 in Las Vegas National Hoopfest. 798 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:29,000 Superbowl weekend we're going to 799 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:30,000 have. 800 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:31,000 >> Gaston: And why add that? 801 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:35,000 Why add the one in Las Vegas? 802 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:36,000 >> Haddock: It's more like why 803 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:38,000 not Las Vegas because, you know, 804 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:39,000 we had talked when we first 805 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:41,000 start getting towards expand out 806 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:42,000 and to brand the event. 807 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:44,000 And we really-The most important 808 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:45,000 thing is to do something that 809 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:46,000 nobody else has done. 810 00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:48,000 You know, and that's when you 811 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:49,000 take the best teams in America, 812 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:51,000 having good relationships with 813 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,000 those teams and you take them to 814 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:54,000 Therefore it develops an 815 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:56,000 emotional attachment to the 816 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:57,000 event that you wouldn't 817 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:58,000 typically see. 818 00:18:58,000 --> 00:18:59,000 They're not just other games. 819 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:01,000 These games really mean 820 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:02,000 something to the teams. 821 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:03,000 And it becomes very community- 822 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:05,000 oriented because the fans in 823 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:06,000 those cities don't want their 824 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:07,000 local teams to lose. 825 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:09,000 >> Gaston: Alright, let's talk 826 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:10,000 about some of those big boys 827 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:12,000 that will be coming to Dyer 828 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:13,000 County and White Station High 829 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:14,000 School for this year's event. 830 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:16,000 >> Haddock: Well you know 831 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:17,000 obviously Chicago's sending in 832 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:18,000 Derrick Rose's former high 833 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:20,000 school that featured Jabari 834 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:21,000 Parker on the third high school 835 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:23,000 player in history to be featured 836 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:24,000 in Sports Illustrated. 837 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,000 They're going to be re-matching 838 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:27,000 number eight ranked Southwind. 839 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:29,000 So you've got two top ten teams 840 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:30,000 playing that first game. 841 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:31,000 Then you're going to have number 842 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:33,000 one ranked Finley Prep playing 843 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:34,000 right behind that at 7:00 844 00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:35,000 against Memphis Melrose. 845 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:37,000 And you've got Whitney Young 846 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:38,000 who's ranked number four in the 847 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:40,000 nation playing number 11 ranked 848 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:41,000 White Station. 849 00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:42,000 That's just the last three games 850 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:43,000 on the last day. 851 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:45,000 You know, we've got nine ranked 852 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:46,000 teams playing, six in the top 853 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:48,000 ten, six state championships, 854 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:49,000 six state champions from last 855 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:50,000 year. 856 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:52,000 And that's just off the top of 857 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:53,000 my brain. 858 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:54,000 >> Gaston: Alright, so how do 859 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:56,000 you get this gentleman involved? 860 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:57,000 What do you when you come up and 861 00:19:57,000 --> 00:19:59,000 approach Penny Hardaway to ask 862 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:00,000 him to be a part of it? 863 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:01,000 >> Haddock: Well we have a 864 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:02,000 mutual friend. 865 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:04,000 And last year I had already kind 866 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:05,000 of signed on and then we've 867 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,000 really kind of been building 868 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:08,000 this thing over the past few 869 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:09,000 years. 870 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:11,000 And again a mutual friend of us 871 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:12,000 said-"Hey, you two really should 872 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:13,000 sit down and talk." 873 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:14,000 And I said okay. 874 00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:16,000 So we ended up having lunch at 875 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:17,000 Houstons one day and here we are 876 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:18,000 ever since. 877 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:20,000 >> Gaston: Penny, a lot of 878 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:21,000 people probably approach you to 879 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:23,000 have your name to something. 880 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:24,000 Why this? 881 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:25,000 >> Hardaway: Well first of all, 882 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:26,000 we have a mutual friend. 883 00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:27,000 And Travis had such an 884 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:29,000 unbelievable idea because 885 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:30,000 basketball is Memphis. 886 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:31,000 And to bring these nationally 887 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:33,000 ranked teams in to play against 888 00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:34,000 our teams-our local teams-I 889 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:35,000 wanted that for our kids. 890 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:37,000 And he wanted it for our kids. 891 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:38,000 And that's why, you know, we 892 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:39,000 partnered up. 893 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:40,000 I loaned my name to this 894 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:41,000 tournament. 895 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:43,000 >> Gaston: Travis, there are 896 00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:44,000 some, as you know, high school 897 00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:46,000 basketball tournaments around 898 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:47,000 this country. 899 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:48,000 Some have succeeded. 900 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:49,000 Some have failed. 901 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:50,000 Why did you feel so confident 902 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:52,000 that this was going to be big 903 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:53,000 and in just a short time has 904 00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:54,000 become one of the best 905 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:55,000 tournaments in the entire 906 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:56,000 country? 907 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:58,000 >> Haddock: Because I don't quit 908 00:20:58,000 --> 00:20:59,000 and I usually don't take no for 909 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:01,000 an answer. 910 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:02,000 You know, but really it took 911 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:03,000 three of four years of just 912 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:04,000 strictly networking out, 913 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:06,000 developing relationships around 914 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:08,000 the country with these teams and 915 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:09,000 coaches because everybody wants 916 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:10,000 them to play in their event. 917 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:12,000 You know, and once you've 918 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:13,000 established those friendships, 919 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:15,000 then, you know, you can open the 920 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:16,000 door to having a big event like 921 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:18,000 this and then moving on to other 922 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:19,000 cities, too, and taking these 923 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:21,000 teams kind of with you. 924 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:22,000 >> Gaston: Alright, folks who 925 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:24,000 want to see these games-What do 926 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:25,000 they need to do? 927 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:26,000 >> Haddock: Well January 10 and 928 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:27,000 11 at Dyer County, the game 929 00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:28,000 start at 4:00. 930 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:30,000 It will be $12 for adults, $10 931 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:31,000 for students at the door. 932 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:33,000 >> Gaston: Now prices for the 933 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:34,000 entire session? 934 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:35,000 >> Haddock: The Saturday event 935 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:37,000 because, you know, because we do 936 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:38,000 have six top ten teams is the 937 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:39,000 most expensive day. 938 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:41,000 You know it's going to be 15 for 939 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:42,000 adults and 10 for students. 940 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:43,000 >> Gaston: Okay, is there a 941 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:45,000 website they can go to? 942 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:46,000 >> Haddock: It's Haddocksports- 943 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:47,000 dot-com. 944 00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:48,000 >> Gaston: Haddocksports-dot- 945 00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:50,000 com. 946 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:51,000 Alright, talk about the reaction 947 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:53,000 when you were dealing with local 948 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:54,000 teams and some of these terrific 949 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:56,000 teams that we have, some of 950 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:57,000 these terrific coaches that you 951 00:21:57,000 --> 00:21:58,000 bringing this tournament. 952 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:00,000 And we go back to last year when 953 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:01,000 it was inaugural tournament. 954 00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:03,000 What was the reaction when you 955 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:04,000 said we're going to bring in 956 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:05,000 these national powers. 957 00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:07,000 We're going to match them up 958 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:08,000 with you. 959 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:09,000 It's going to be a tournament 960 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:11,000 where they-"Sure, let's see it 961 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:12,000 when it happens." 962 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:13,000 Right? 963 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:14,000 What was the reaction like? 964 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:16,000 >> Haddock: Well you know, they 965 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:17,000 were like at first, when you 966 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:18,000 first tell them about it, 967 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:20,000 everybody's like-"Yeah, I'll 968 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:21,000 play. 969 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:22,000 "I'll play." 970 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:23,000 And then when it's really going 971 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:25,000 to happen, some people are like 972 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:26,000 -"You know, remember when I told 973 00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:27,000 you I'd do it?" 974 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:28,000 (laughter) 975 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:30,000 >> Gaston: They probably didn't 976 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:31,000 think you were able to 977 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:32,000 accomplish it. 978 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:33,000 >> Haddock: Well you know, I 979 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:35,000 don't know but your best coaches 980 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:36,000 in this area will play anybody 981 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:38,000 because the biggest focus is to 982 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:39,000 win state championships. 983 00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:41,000 You know, look at Chicago Simeon 984 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:42,000 up there. 985 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:43,000 They've won the last three 986 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:44,000 state. 987 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:46,000 They could care less what their 988 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:47,000 national ranking is. 989 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:48,000 They're so good but they're main 990 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:49,000 focus is to win state. 991 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:51,000 And it's really the same concept 992 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:52,000 here. 993 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:53,000 So to get your self better, you 994 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:55,000 really have to go out and play 995 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:56,000 these national games when the 996 00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:58,000 opportunity arises because, you 997 00:22:58,000 --> 00:22:59,000 know, that's what gets you 998 00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:00,000 better. 999 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:02,000 And you've noticed the teams 1000 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:03,000 that win state tournaments 1001 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:05,000 usually come out of Memphis and 1002 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:06,000 it's usually the teams that went 1003 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:08,000 out there and played games and 1004 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:09,000 maybe dropped some. 1005 00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:10,000 >> Gaston: I would imagine as a 1006 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:12,000 young basketball player in this 1007 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:13,000 community, you're already 1008 00:23:13,000 --> 00:23:14,000 playing great teams going 1009 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:15,000 against each other. 1010 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:17,000 But to have a chance to play 1011 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:18,000 some of the best national teams, 1012 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:20,000 you've got to fire up these 1013 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:21,000 young men. 1014 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:22,000 >> Hardaway: Absolutely. 1015 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:23,000 I mean, you want to measure your 1016 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:25,000 talent against the rest of the 1017 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:26,000 country. 1018 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:27,000 And win you're playing the top 1019 00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:29,000 teams, what defines the top 1020 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:30,000 teams from the Memphis teams? 1021 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:31,000 How did they get ranked? 1022 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:33,000 So when they come to town, these 1023 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:34,000 kids are like they're going to 1024 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:36,000 prove to us that they're really 1025 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:37,000 number one or they're a top ten 1026 00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:38,000 team. 1027 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:40,000 And the talent here thinks that 1028 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:42,000 we can play with anybody in the 1029 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:43,000 country. 1030 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:44,000 So we're like-Okay, bring them 1031 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:45,000 to town. 1032 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:46,000 And we're ready to play. 1033 00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:48,000 So the kids are very fired up. 1034 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:49,000 >> Gaston: I said that the young 1035 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:51,000 men but also you've had young 1036 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:52,000 women involved with the women's 1037 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:53,000 tournament as well. 1038 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:55,000 Is that part of this year's 1039 00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:56,000 Penny Hardaway's Hoopfest or is 1040 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:58,000 that just the Bragging Rights 1041 00:23:58,000 --> 00:23:59,000 tournament when you had the 1042 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:00,000 girls teams? 1043 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:01,000 >> Haddock: Well we do have a 1044 00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:03,000 girls game at Dyer County the 1045 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:04,000 first day to kick off the event, 1046 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:06,000 especially for that area. 1047 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:07,000 They really want it. 1048 00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:08,000 And we said that's fine. 1049 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:09,000 Knowing that we were doing such 1050 00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:11,000 a big broad day in Memphis, we 1051 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:12,000 couldn't do. 1052 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:14,000 We did eight games the last day 1053 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:15,000 last year and it was really 1054 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:16,000 tiring for everybody, including 1055 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:17,000 the teams. 1056 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:19,000 And everybody kind of hung in 1057 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:20,000 there and was a trooper. 1058 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:21,000 But we figure six games was a 1059 00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:22,000 great amount. 1060 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:24,000 And we've got such high 1061 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:25,000 nationally ranked teams. 1062 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:26,000 Let's just go with what we see, 1063 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:28,000 you know, there and we thought 1064 00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:29,000 that would probably be the best 1065 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:30,000 idea. 1066 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:32,000 >> Gaston: Alright, so Thursday 1067 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:33,000 January 10. 1068 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:34,000 Friday, January 11. 1069 00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:35,000 Dyer County High School. 1070 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:37,000 Tip off time for the first game 1071 00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:38,000 is when? 1072 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:39,000 >> Haddock: 4:00. 1073 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:40,000 >> Gaston: 4:00 1074 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:41,000 And then it culminates on 1075 00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:42,000 Saturday, January 12 at White 1076 00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:43,000 Station High School. 1077 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:44,000 Action begins when? 1078 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:45,000 >> Haddock: 1:00 1079 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:47,000 >> Gaston: 1:00 on Saturday the 1080 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:48,000 12. 1081 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:49,000 And again, one more time and our 1082 00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:50,000 final moment. 1083 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:52,000 I know you want to thank some of 1084 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:53,000 your sponsors because without 1085 00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:55,000 that, there probably would not 1086 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:56,000 be Penny Hardaway's Hoopfest. 1087 00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:58,000 >> Haddock: Obviously Dave 1088 00:24:58,000 --> 00:24:59,000 Slight and Jamie Robinson with 1089 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:01,000 American Residential Services 1090 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:02,000 and John Conway and Greg Siskin. 1091 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:04,000 You know there's a mile of 1092 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:05,000 people and also Penny as well. 1093 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:07,000 You know we have a good core 1094 00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:08,000 group around us and we're very 1095 00:25:08,000 --> 00:25:09,000 thankful for it. 1096 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:11,000 >> Gaston: Well we are looking 1097 00:25:11,000 --> 00:25:12,000 forward to it. 1098 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:13,000 I know it's going to be 1099 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:14,000 sensational. 1100 00:25:14,000 --> 00:25:15,000 It was last year. 1101 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:16,000 It was a great way to start off 1102 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:18,000 this new national high school 1103 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:19,000 tournament. 1104 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:20,000 I know it's going to be even 1105 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:21,000 bigger and better this year. 1106 00:25:21,000 --> 00:25:23,000 And then of course heading out 1107 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:24,000 to Vegas for the first time. 1108 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:25,000 Nothing but the best. 1109 00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:27,000 You've done a fantastic job 1110 00:25:27,000 --> 00:25:28,000 bringing some of the best high 1111 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:29,000 school basketball in the 1112 00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:30,000 country. 1113 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:32,000 Travis, thank you so much- 1114 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:33,000 pleasure! 1115 00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:34,000 Penny, I can't reach you here. 1116 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:36,000 I wish I had your reach but 1117 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:37,000 thank you so much. 1118 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:38,000 Absolute pleasure as well. 1119 00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:39,000 Thank you both for being with us 1120 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,000 on today's program. 1121 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:42,000 And that will do it for this 1122 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:43,000 week's show. 1123 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:44,000 Remember you can see any of our 1124 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:46,000 past shows by simply going to 1125 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:47,000 our website, WKNO-dot-org, and 1126 00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:49,000 clicking on KNO Tonite. 1127 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:53,000 And we'll see you next time.