Fansided

Orlando Magic mascot pranks noted mascot-hater Robin Lopez

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA;Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) prepares to shoot the ball as Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) defends during the second half at Amway Center. The Bulls won 100-92. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA;Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) prepares to shoot the ball as Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) defends during the second half at Amway Center. The Bulls won 100-92. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Robin Lopez is at war, constantly.

Every NBA arena he travels into is a war zone with unforeseen enemies trying to embarrass and ridicule him. It is a solitary battle against the forces of insanity, wackyness and oddly colored fur.

Lopez, looking like quite the mascot himself with his Sideshow Bob haircut, has waged this private battle with the furry and the ridiculousness across NBA arenas. He has gotten his shots and taken his hits.

The latest flash point came Tuesday at the Amway Center. Orlando Magic mascot STUFF, a green dragon, met Lopez at midcourt with a peace offering of sorts. He implored using a sign for Lopez to smile as Lopez looked on suspiciously at the mascot’s antics.

Slowly STUFF revealed the trick and the shots were fired.

Lopez responded in kind, grabbing the fallen sign and trying to strike the furry green dragon. STUFF ran to the other end of the court and hid behind the Magic’s Aaron Gordon. The 2016 Mascot of the Year had won this battle. This was not the first battle between the two. STUFF played a similar trick on Lopez when he was with the New York Knicks last year. STUFF got the final blow there, hitting Lopez with a rubber hammer.

This long-running feud between Lopez and the mascots around the league has been ongoing. It dates back to when Robin’s brother Brook Lopez and the Brooklyn Nets beat up Detroit Pistons mascot Hooper. Robin Lopez upped the ante when he kidnapped Hooper during a game in Detroit.

Other mascots came to Hooper’s defense and soon began playing pranks and tricks on Lopez. He has become enemy No. 1 in mascot land. There have been many salvos in this war with the mascots wininng some battles and Lopez winning more.

STUFF’s shot is only the latest in this ongoing war. And it is hard to see the two sides coming together for peace. Not after this latest insult at the now-Chicago Bulls center.

Next: Zach Randolph helps keep the lights on for low-income families in Memphis

To be sure, this battle is far from over.

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