Former NBA star Penny Hardaway suggests league lacks element of fun

Victor Wembanyama scored 40 points in the San Antonio Spurs’ victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Kevin Wildes ask if Wemby is already the best player in the NBA.

Former NBA star Penny Hardaway now devotes most of his time to the film room, practice and the sideline while guiding the Memphis men’s basketball team.

Hardaway, in his eighth year coaching the Tigers, revealed his plans for the upcoming brief holiday break.

Despite a holiday layoff from Dec. 22 through New Year's Eve, Hardaway plans to watch 50 college games, saying on his weekly radio show that he prefers the college game over today's NBA style.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway looks on against the Tulane Green Wave during the semifinal game of the American Athletic Conference Tournament at the Dickies Arena in Forth Worth, Texas on March 11, 2023.  (Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Hardaway argued the professional ranks lack an element of fun. "It’s just not fun to watch anymore," the four-time NBA All-Star said. "It’s just not fun to watch anymore," the four-time NBA All-Star said.

"It’s like, over the years, to me, it’s just getting worse and worse. Not in a bad way. But for me to watch, because I’m in college, I see the fundamentals and playing team ball," he said. "And just shooting all the 3s now is just a little irritating to me to just watch an NBA game. No one shoots layups anymore. It’s fun to watch for fans.

CHARLES BARKLEY RIPS NBA CUP, SUGGESTS IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT FUNCTIONS AS PLAYER CASH GRAB

"But for guys that were pure in the game, it’s a little difficult."

Hardaway was the third overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft and the runner-up at