In Photos: Playboi Carti rocks Penny Hardaway's Magic jersey, teasing possible track release
Rapper Playboi Carti is using a former NBA All-Star’s iconic jersey to tease his newest track. The rapper used the jersey of Orlando Magic legend Penny Hardaway featuring the number one in front instead of it being at the back, implying a teaser of his latest music.
The post is believed to be one of Playboi Carti’s Easter eggs ahead of his track release.
Here is the post:
The new album is set to be released through Interscope Records, AWGE, and Opium. The album is tentatively titled "Music" or "I Am Music."
Playboi Carti first caught fans’ attention with the release of his second album “Whole Lotta Red.” However, the rapper's third studio album has hit numerous setbacks throughout the years, causing lengthy delays.
The rapper was also featured in Drake’s new track “No Face” as part of the Canadian rapper’s ongoing beef with Kendrick Lamar. The song also name-dropped Kevin Durant, Drake’s longtime friend.
Former Orlano Magic star thinks Penny Hardaway could have been like Kobe Bryant
With Playboy Carti’s use of Penny Hardaway’s jersey, the former Orlando Magic star’s influence outside of basketball has been reaffirmed. However, his former teammate thinks Hardaway could have been a bigger star if not for injuries.
Former Orlando Magic guard Nick Anderson looked back at Hardaway’s career and rued about the former third overall pick’s injury history. Anderson even likened him to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, if not for the injuries he sustained.
"I know Kobe was Kobe, but if Penny Hardaway never got hurt, people would be talking about him in the same breath," Anderson told Matt Issa of Basketball News.
Hardaway, who was drafted by the Golden State Warriors, quickly rose to superstardom after being traded to Magic in 1993. Along with a young Shaquille O’Neal, Hardaway turned into one of the biggest stars in the NBA, even reaching the NBA Finals once in the 1994-1995 season.
He had four NBA All-Star appearances in five years from 1993 to 1998 with the Magic. But a series of debilitating knee injuries hampered his career as he bounced off three different teams since leaving Magic.
Hardaway was a tall point guard who could do anything to score against any defender, earning him the nickname “The Floor Giant.”
“At 6-foot-7 ½, 6-foot-8, he could see over most of the guys that went against him at the point guard [position],” Anderson said.
In his career, Penny Hardaway averaged 15.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 704 NBA games played across four teams. He is a coach for the University of Memphis in NCAA Division 1 basketball.