LETS GET IT!!

Past and Present
NBA PLAYERS AS RAPPERS (Thread)

S/O @ChrisBarnettII on the assist/feature

Michael Jordan | Jay Z
Black Jesus. Hova.
•Regarded as the GOAT
•Retired on top but came back to reclaim the throne
•Longevity. Strategic.
•Adapt in any Era
•”I’m not a businessman, I’m a Business, man”

Kobe Bryant | KanYe West
“Little Brother”
• Molded their game after the GOAT
• Came into a DYNASTY then broke away to carry the torch
(8-24. GOOD Music)
•Talent outweighs negative press.
•Mentality to be GOAT
•Versatility.
(Kobe/Film. KanYe/Fashion)
•Embraces new talent

LeBron James | Drake
The chosen one
•Regarded as the GOATs of their generation
•Most anticipated debuts
•Lived up to HYPE
•Forever compared to those before him
•Put unknown territory on the map. (Toronto & Cleveland)
•Check the stats. Numbers don’t lie.

Allen Iverson | Lil Wayne
Pound for pound.
•Electronic raw talent
•Drafted by historic franchises. chosen to carry the legacy.
•Translated the underground to mainstream. (Mixtapes & streetball)
•Arguably the most influential. Changed the look and style of the game.

Cont.
“Idols become rivals”
•Challenged Golden age tradition.
(Rise of the South. Rise of the independent superstar)
•MVP Season. A.I. ‘01 Wayne ‘08
•Small rivalry ended in mutual Respect.

Tim Duncan | J. Cole
The Big Fundamental.
•True to the art of the sport
•No gimmicks. No glare.
•Considered boring by critics.
•Platinum/Rings with the same formula

Kawhi Lenard | Kendrick Lamar
Good kid M.A.A.D. City
•Highly regarded as the best
•Reserved personality
•Chosen early to lead
•Lets their game do the talking
•Classic performances
•Considered the Kryptonite for the top stars (LeBron & Drake)

Russell Westbrook | Travis Scott
ITS LIT! H-TOWN COMING DOWN
•Leaves it all on the court/stage.
•ELECTRIC
•PURE ATHLETIC ENERGY!!
•MVP Season (Astroworld & 42 TDs)

Larry Bird | Eminem
The GREAT WHITE HOPE
•Dominated the sport
•Lethal lyricist. Lethal shooter
•Magic is his Dre.. brought out the best in him
•Race questioned their game.
(“If he was black he’d just be another player”) argument
•GOLD SHIPS. DIAMOND RECORDS

SHAQ | Snoop Dogg
LARGER THAN LIFE
•Entered the game highly anticipated
•Most recognizable in their fields. (FAME)
•Fun personality
•Lead a Dynasty & Role played
(Lakers/Deathrow Heat/No Limit)
•Embrace and fairly criticize the new generation
•The Big Fella & The Uncle

Dennis Rodman | Tyler The Creator
MISUNDERSTOOD
•Unique but Undeniable
•Plays aggressive. Up close and personal. Uncomfortable.
•Part of a Dynasty
(Bad Boys/Bulls. Odd Future)
•True freedom of expression
• Accolades speak for them self!
(RINGS. REBOUNDS. IGOR)

Phil Jackson | Dr. Dre
•The Zen Master. The Doctor.
•Ability to coach and polish high quality talent. Jordan, Kobe, Shaq. Eazy E, Ice Cube, Snoop, Eminem.
•Lead Dynasties
(Bulls/Lakers. NWA/Deathrow/Aftermath)
•Solo Chips.
(‘73 Knicks. The Chronic)

Magic Johnson | Puff Daddy/Diddy
ShowTime. Shiny Suit.
•LARGER THAN LIFE
•Came in the game STRONG and progressed into a leader of a franchise.
(Michigan State/Lakers. Uptown/BadBoy)
•Face of Marketing
•HOF/OG KINGS of their cost
•Embrace and mold young talent

Steph Curry | Future
“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”
•EFFICIENT. CONSISTENT.
•One trick pony to purist.
(Steph’s 3. Future’s Flow)
•Versatile (Handles. Ballads)
•Changed the landscape of their fields and made the league adjust.
•A GOAT in the eyes of the youth

Kevin Durant | Wale
DC Or Nothing
•Poetry in motion
•Pure Lyricist. Pure all around player
•Criticized for career moves.
(MMG/Warriors)
•Both Feel under appreciated and feed into the critics.

Isaiah Thomas | Nas
The Legend’s Legend
•Reserved but will BUST THAT ASS
•Brought a poetic style to a gritty surrounding.
(Detroit. Queens Bridge)
•The Villain/ETHER
(Beat the best in their primes
(Magic,Bird, Jordan. Jay Z)
•Classic seasons
(‘88-89. Illmatic Stillmatic)

Vince Carter | 2 Chainz
•The vet amongst the youth
•Flashy Highlight reel
(Dunks. Club/Trap bangers)
•Shine brightest as a stand alone but works well in a team set up)
(DTP, Playas Circle, GOOD music. Raptors/Nets)

Derrick Rose | Fabolous
The Young OG
•Reserved
•Heavy shoes to field from the home team.
(Bulls/Jordan. Brooklyn/Biggie/Jay Z)
•Full of flash.
(Game play. Flow/Fashion)
•Never reached full potential.
•Still capable of big moments
(Minnesota 50pts. Soul Tape)
•RESPECTED

Tracy McGrady & Steve Francis | DMX
The Franchise.
•RAW TALENT!!
•Once held as the elite of their era
•Peaked early
•Fell from grace.
(Injuries for TMAC. Attitude and substance abuse for Francis)
•Unrecognizable at one point
•In the end respected as factors of their time

Giannis Antetokounmpo | Rick Ross
The Biggest Boss
•Big frame. Big game
•Can’t be put in a box. All around.
(Plays every position)
•Top tier of their era
•Aggressive! But full of style and finesse

Damian Lillard | T.I.
“IM SERIOUS”
•Laidback/reserved personality
•Not too “Buddy Buddy”
•Explosive on the court/track
•Backs down from NOBODY
•Confident and will talk that shit if provoked