This is quite a week for ole school basketball players in the NBA.   If this were the year 2000, instead of 2008, the significance of Penny Hardaway, Allan Houston, Reggie Miller and Latrell Sprewell looking for new contracts would be the buzz of the NBA fantasy world…. but we skip ahead 8 years and it seems crazy that four players a couple years removed from last playing are even being discussed.  

Will any of the four play a significant role for a team?  I have my doubts, but here is how I see the breakdown for each of them as they discuss options with various teams:

Penny Hardaway - Current Status, signed with the Miami Heat

Well right away Penny has a step up on the rest of the group as he actually has a contract in hand and with a decent team.  I actually think Penny could play a decent role for the Heat.  Will he have much fantasy impact, no, but I think he could be a very good role player for this team.  Eddie Jones came to the Heat last year, and showed he has a lot of game left after appearing washed up in Memphis and Penny will play a similar role.  Penny was actually playing decent ball in NY, before he was basically forced out.  It wasn’t bad play or injuries, but bad contracts that forced him out of NY.  I see Penny scoring 8-9 ppg, with 3 assists a game if he can stay healthy.

Allan Houston - Current Status, unsigned 

Houston barely had any fantasy impact when he was at his best, so to expect him to help you now would be silly talk.  He was only ever good for points and threes, and now in a limited role he would get neither.  All teams need shooters off the bench though, so if Houston can look decent in just a couple try outs he will get a contract somewhere.  He is another player who really had his career cut short, and probably has legs left to go a couple years with limited minutes.

Latrell Sprewell - Current Status, unsigned

I am not sure I remember any player who hurt himself financially with one decision as much as Latrell Sprewell did in his final year in Minnesota.  Offered a $6-$8 million / year contract in his final season (I can’t remember the exact amount) he brought out the infamous quote - “I can’t even feed my family off that kind of money”, and decided to test his luck in free agency.  Well guess what, he never got another contract even at league minimum.  Sprewell had all kinds of game left, but always brought baggage with him.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he was eventually signed somewhere (there are a lot of players with a lot less talent signed), for a veteran filled team, but its obvious his go-to status is gone and with it his fantasy value.

Reggie Miller - Current Status, unsigned, considering the Celtics

Well we know Miller-Time isn’t going to give us fantasy numbers to care about, thats not why I brought him up.  Why he is here, is because I marvel at the fact that a 42 year old player who is rail thin is being asked to play again.  Reggie played extremely well past his prime, but his prime was a long time ago.  The Celtics must feel his veteran presence, and experience going deep into the playoffs, can only help a team who now has all the talent in the world, but little post season success.  At best he would get 15 mins a game and score 5-6 points, but if he came back it would be fun to watch the night he gets hots and drops 3 or 4 threes….  the playoff night in MSG where he scored 8 in 16 seconds was one of the best playoff finishes ever.

Here’s to the old school crew who can still make a name for themselves.