Penny reveals his disbelief when he saw MJ rocking his signature shoes: 'I'mma let a sleeping dog lie'

Originally posted on Basketball Network
By Jonas Panerio | Last updated Dec 19, 2024 10:44 AM ET

The legendary Michael Jordan was a proud and fierce competitor who pulled out all the stops to ensure victory for himself and the Chicago Bulls. Whether it was a physical or mental advantage, MJ always found a way to come out on top. And so, seeing "His Airness" wearing someone else's signature sneakers was a rare sight.

After all, this was considered a no-no among the NBA's elite, as it was believed to signal too much respect for the opposition. However, one player who earned that privilege was Penny Hardaway.

A pleasant surprise

In Game 3 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals series between the upstart Orlando Magic and the Chicago Bulls, the world was surprised to see Jordan wear an unfamiliar sneaker. In Games 1 and 2, MJ had worn his brand-new Air Jordan 11, with its shiny patent leather and unmistakable Jumpman logo.

However, the league stepped in and stopped Jordan from wearing those, as they violated the league's dress code. After getting slapped with a fine for still wearing the Jordan 11s in Game 2, Michael decided he wouldn't incur any more fines and wore a black Air Flight One, a shoe designed for the Magic superstar.

In 1995 during the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Chicago Bulls took on the Orlando Magic. In Game 3, Jordan did not wear his shoes. Instead, he wore Penny Hardaway's Nike Air Flight One shoes. That was the first and only time Jordan wore another player's shoes... pic.twitter.com/MosVeMkvWP
— Mikeal NEON ® (@MikealNEON) January 28, 2021

Hardaway was on the "Knuckleheads" podcast and talked about that intriguing development.

"You know, I was at the free throw line, and I look down like, 'Damn, he got on the shoes!'" Penny stated.

Quizzed by Darius Miles and Quentin Richardson if he ever said anything to MJ about that, Penny vehemently protested, emphasizing he knew better.

"Hell no, I let him do it! I said, 'No, I'mma let a sleeping dog lie.' I was like, 'I appreciate you rocking them. I ain't say nothing about the shoes. I ain't say nothing.' I'm like, I'm not bothering this dude. Let him be," the four-time All-Star stressed.

Penny knew they were going to win

The sight of Jordan wearing his signature joints caught Hardaway by surprise, especially since Michael had never worn a signature shoe outside of his own line. MJ, though, slightly altered Anfernee's shoe, cutting off the pull tab at the heel that had the Magic star's number on it.

"So he rocked them joints, and I was still sitting out there going, This man got my shoes on," the former Memphis ace said. "The only thing he did was he cut the number one off the back, but it's still the shoes."

Jordan wearing his shoes, though, gave Hardaway a confidence boost that proved vital in Game 3.

"I saw that. I was like, 'Oh, we are going to beat him,'" he said.

True to form, the Magic defeated the Bulls 110-101 at the United Center to take a 2-1 series lead. Despite not having his signature sneakers on, MJ still erupted for 40 points in the loss.

This article first appeared on Basketball Network and was syndicated with permission.

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