Penny Hardaway's early career success also included the 1995 NBA Finals.
In the mid 90s, Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway was a true basketball superstar and by all counts it looked like he was the heir apparent to Michael Jordan for both the NBA and Nike.
After being awarded with 1st team All-NBA selection in 1995 and helping his team make the NBA Finals, Nike was fully aboard the Penny Hardaway Show and gave him his own shoe.
The birth of the 'Nike Air Penny I' shoe also saw a new friend jump into the picture. The outspoken and brash 'Lil Penny' alter ego voiced by Chris Rock was created to accompany Hardaway's reserved and quiet demeanor.
Unfortunately, Penny Hardaway's future hall of fame career was riddled with injuries however combined with his on-court gifts and how brilliant the Nike campaign was, Hardaway's shoe is still one of the most popular basketball shoes in the world.
Michael Jordan was so fond of Hardaway's game that he wore his Air Penny shoes in a playoff game. It was the only time Jordan did not wear his own shoe.
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