The Orlando Magic haven’t had a ton of luck in the NBA Draft lottery in recent years. Over the last six seasons, the club has won an average of 26 games per year, but have only picked in the top three at the NBA Draft once in that span.
The Magic are bringing a Lil’ Penny doll to give them good luck at the NBA Draft lottery
Is a mid-90s marketing gimmick the key to landing Luca Doncic?
via Josh Robbins (@joshuabrobbins)
On Tuesday night, they’ll have a little backup to help push them to the top of the draft: Lil’ Penny
That’s the doll version of former 16-year NBA veteran, four-time all-star, Magic legend, and current University of Memphis head coach Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway. “Lil’ Penny” was part of an iconic Nike ad campaign that capitalized on the rising star. The Orlando forward played himself, while a nearing-his-prime Chris Rock voiced his doll counterpart. Hardaway was the straight man as Rock roasted playground ballers, Spike Lee, and occasionally Hardaway himself.
Hardaway and Lil’ Penny spent six seasons in Orlando, never recording a losing season in that span. He won an Eastern Conference championship in 1995 and advanced to the conference finals the following year, but was unable to deliver an NBA title for the Magic. A 1997 knee injury robbed him of the explosiveness that defined his early career, turning him from all-star to role player over the course of a fruitful pro career.
It’s been nearly two decades since Hardaway played for the Magic, but the franchise is hopeful his tiny wooden friend can help restore Orlando to its glory days. Step one begins with a leap up the draft lottery from fifth place to a spot where the club can grab a fortune-changing talent like DeAndre Ayton or Luca Doncic.
Step two is getting that franchise building block an 18-inch wooden replica of his own.
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