In The Most Self Serving Way Possible, Penny Hardaway Declared That Kawhi Leonard Isn't A "Superstar"

I respect the viewpoint... even if you don't agree...respectful thoughts? #Spurs pic.twitter.com/1dBOkJlbQ9

— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) August 14, 2017

UPDATE: Penny Hardaway apparently did NOT say anything of the sort. That said, if - and only if - he did then I would stand by the following...

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Wait a second here. Are you telling me that Penny Hardaway, of all people, use's the on-screen presence of professional athletes in things that aren't professional athletics to determine their "star power"?! He thinks being a well-known brand ambassador is equally as important to an MVP candidate's standing in the NBA as is his on-court performance? The player whose Nike commercials were made famous by an ankle-tall doll that was crafted in his likeness and voiced by someone far funnier and more personable than him (Chris Rock) makes us forget that his injury-riddled career seemingly came and went faster than a shooting (...wait for it...) star. That's the same guy that believes that being a recognizable spokesperson for a corporation is a difference between being a "good" and "great" member of 'The Association'? 

Hmm. That seems like a pretty odd way to characterize a title that a vast majority of people largely equate with a player's talent and resume. Wonder what could possibly make Penny Hardaway think that marketability is a more desirable skill than lockdown defense and an ever-evolving offensive game? I can't imagine it's the convenience with which you could use easily use that very same criteria to call a guy whose biggest accomplishment was losing in the NBA Finals as an incredibly interesting aside in the young career of Shaquille O'Neal to be an "superstar". No sir, if I know Anfernee Hardaway like I think I know Anfernee Hardaway then he would never be superficial enough to over value his own endorsements while comparing himself to players who had a much larger and more lasting impact on the hardwood. 

In all honesty, as a writer I have no choice but to respect what Penny did by semantically creating a logical way in which he could make it sound as if his short stint of excellence shined brighter than Kawhi Leonard's laundry list of accomplishments. In no way do I agree with his ridiculous rationale. I do, however, commend his architecture. He did a helluva job building that straw man argument out of insanely subjective opinions and cleverly worded definitions. Hell - if you didn't know any better - he would have you believing that even a young Tyra Banks looked forgettable when standing alongside his incandescent career that was unfortunately only slightly longer than a flash in a pan...