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Argument for Rose
Derrick was the OG of the modern, super athletic point guard we see today in the NBA. All-Stars like John Wall and Russell Westbrook games mirror Derrick Rose's game. As the No. 1 option on his team, Derrick average more points and assists per game than Penny and became the youngest Most Valuable Player at 22 years old. And while Hardaway was bigger body wise, Rose was the much more explosive athlete at their peaks.
That being said, Rose's teams could not ever find themselves in a position to win the championship like Penny's team. In Hardaway's second season, the Magic defeated the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers to reach the NBA Finals, before losing to the more experienced Houston Rockets.
The next year, in Michael Jordan's first full season back in the league after his first retirement, the Bulls took down Orlando in the playoffs. After that season, Shaq left for the Lakers and Orlando's window officially closed with their best player. Chicago with Rose had the best record in all of basketball in his MVP season and was snuffed out pathetically by the Miami Heat of LeBron, Wade, and Bosh. LeBron James, the former MVP who's move to Miami cost him in the race that year, guarded Rose in the fourth quarter of games and held him to below 20% shooting.
So Who Would You Take
The fact is that we saw a team with Penny as their best player and a team with Derrick as their best player. Rose's team go to the doorstep of the NBA Finals before running into the Miami Heat Big 3. Hardaway, the year after Shaq left, was knocked out in the first round by the Miami Heat. And though injuries after their fourth seasons took away that All-Star ability, they still played more seasons than just four. Rose is still in the league today. And when looking at those years, Rose and Hardaway are still close, but Rose might barely edge him out there.
It is close, but looking at their team success, their own numbers, and their post injuries career, the edge goes to D-Rose by a hair. Who knows what would have become of these two had their knees stood the test of time. The one thing that can be said is that they are two of the most dynamic guards the game has ever seen.
Guess the Lakers players!
