Penny Hardaway says "crazy" Michael Jordan was "eating raw eggs and raw steaks" to take his revenge on Orlando in 1996

Former NBA player and current Memphis Tigers' head coach Penny Hardaway recounted facing Michael Jordan on the "Knuckleheads" podcast episode released on Wednesday. The 53-year-old shared that MJ was driven by revenge even before he stepped in to face the Orlando Magic in the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals.

Hardaway claimed Jordan was preparing to face the Magic all summer by conditioning his body and taking care of his mental health. Despite being eliminated from the championship contention (4-2), he commended Michael Jordan's approach, citing that players have to be ready for their moment at all times as the opportunity could strike anytime.

"MJ ain't forgot nothing, he went the whole summer eating raw eggs and raw steaks," Penny Hardaway said (51:25). "And man, got into the Tai chi and everything. That boy went crazy all summer and was like, 'All right, I'm getting them next time.'"

Michael Jordan had the Orlando Magic on his mind after they defeated Chicago Bulls (4-2) in the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals. The 23-year-old Penny Hardaway averaged 18.5 points, 7.5 assists and 1.8 steals in the series.

The stretch was MJ's first after he came back from retirement in the middle of the season (March 18, 1995). Nevertheless, he averaged 31.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.8 blocks across the six game series.

Penny Hardaway reflects on another Michael Jordan revenge story

In the opening game of the 1995 conference semifinals, Magic escaped with a narrow 94-91 win over MJ and the Bulls. Jordan had switched to #45 jersey at the time to honor his late father, James R. Jordan Sr.

After the Game 1 win, Nick Anderson criticised Michael Jordan's caliber, citing that #45 MJ's talents fall short of the #23 Jordan. Fueled by the comments, Jordan stepped into Game 2 wearing his #23 jersey.

"The next time he came out, it was like something I don't even know what to call this," Penny Hardaway said (45:14). "Hey Q Rich that dude popped that and that one with (number) 23 look like he had some lights on it. I said, 'Hold up, what the hell, that ain't (number) 45 no more.' I said, 'Oh, he on some bullsh*t today I promise.'"

"I promise there was some lights on that jersey though, that sh*t look a lot brighter than it would have usually did and that man went to work on us bro. I'm talking about easy work."

MJ poured 38 points, seven rebounds, four steals and four blocks on 56.7% shooting, leading the Bulls to a 104-94 win.