From Shaquille O?Neal to Michael Jordan ? Ranking Drake?s NBA Name Drops Over the Years

While the NBA wasn’t always this popular, once it took off, it caught mainstream attention. As a result, celebrity interactions, sightings, and crossovers became all too common. But that mainstream appeal has been two-fold. While the NBA captures that essence, the entertainment industry at large has also embraced the world of basketball as a whole. However, the biggest collaboration between the two worlds is prevalent in the world of music. While Drake had a ton of traction before his NBA fandom, his interactions and inclusion of NBA superstars did play a role in his universal popularity.

While big-time names like Kevin Hart and J. Cole have played major roles at various All-Star Games through the years, Drake remains a permanent fixture in NBA circles, due in part to his Toronto Raptors fandom. Further, his constant name-dropping of superstar talents is a regular highlight of any new music from him. Over the years, the 5x Grammy Award winner has many lyrics including NBA talent. Here’s a ranking of the top 10 best such instances.

10-8: The old, the new, and the Michael Jordan

For the most recent one, we take a look at one from 2019, No New Friends.? “H-Town my second home like I’m James Harden.” Due to the icon’s relationship with Houston, a reference to the city wasn’t a problem for him. Further, in the peak of the James Harden trade saga, the lyric was perfectly time-appropriate.

In his hit 10 Bands,?Drake would make a reference to the immortal Michael Jordan. While not the epitome of his MJ lyrics, it does stand as a beautiful nod to NBA lore. “I get boxes of free Jordan like I play for North Carolina.” However, one of his best NBA-lore referencing lines is up next.

Even though the NBA All-Star game has seen a significant downturn in recent times, at its peak, it was one of the most anticipated nights in the NBA calendar year. It was a reference to those iconic times that made the?Weston Road Flows?lyric so iconic. ?Been flowin stupid since Vince Carter was on some through the legs, arm in the hoop sh*t.? That iconic dunk from VC stands the test of time and remains among the best in NBA history. The next set of the best Drake lyrics comes close to home, though.

The next three: Home and Stephen Curry

Due to his close connection to Stephen Curry, mentions of the Golden State Warriors superstar are plenty in Drake’s discography. “Hittin? like that 30 on my jersey, man, I?m gifted.” Attuning himself to Curry might be the most perfect comparison for the superstar.

Both came in relatively recently, took their industry by storm, and became undeniable. And, just as the lyric says, like Steph is automatic from 3, Drake is a certified banger every time. Similarly, due to his hometown connections and borderline fanaticism of Toronto, mentions of the team’s lore were inevitable.

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Firstly, is an ode to a hometown legend in DeMar DeRozan. During his tenure with the 6, DeRozan became a fan favorite like any other. As a result, ?My city love me like DeMar DeRozan? from?Lemon Pepper Freestyle became instantly beautiful.

Similarly, Kawhi Leonard making that iconic jump shot against the Philadelphia 76ers did warrant a mention from the 2x Britt award winner. So, the iconic “When I shoot my shot it?s the Kawhi way, it?s goin? in“?made its way into Pain 1993. While his hometown level is on full display, his most iconic lines do include some of the league’s absolute greatest.

Before the winner – Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan

During his near-21-year run, the 3x Juno Awards winner had to mention the league’s all-time legends. So, it’s no surprise that those lyrics end up being some of the Canadian’s best work. Like this lyric from Used To about Shaquille O’Neal.

?Shaq postin? up on n***** that I used to have posters of?. Instantly brilliant, the statement is a beautiful rhyme, while paying perfect homage to the Los Angeles Lakers legend. But, it’s not his best work for a Laker. That honor lies with LeBron James. During the course of his career,?King James?has worn both 6 and 23 multiple times. However, there was a subtlety that Drake drew from that change, bringing forth this lyric from?Nonstop.?

“How I go from 6 to 23 like I’m LeBron?”?While just a play on words, the lyric does have a deeper meaning. Like LeBron’s elevation from the number 6 to GOAT status, ala Jordan’s 23, Drake too went from the Toronto 6 to being the best in the business.

But one of the greatest lyrics of all time by Drake with an NBA superstar also happens to hold the greatest of all time. For the song 9,?the 36-year-old Grammy Award-winner wrote, “MJ in every way, I just don’t fade away.”?Like Michael’s fame, Drake might never go out of style. An ode to the iconic fadeaway that took the 6x NBA Champion to unforeseen heights puts the perfect bow on an all-time lyric.

However, the best Drake lyric of all time isn’t a surprise. It is the one that put him on the NBA map, gave the greatest shooter in NBA history an iconic nickname, and brought about an entirely new era in the NBA.

Chef Cury with the pot, boy

Even though his discography is among the most iconic in NBA lore, this lyric from?0 To 100 is without a doubt the biggest hit. A truly sensational lyric came to life and put a bow on a historic season by the Warriors.

?This sh*t a motherf*****? layup/I been Steph Curry with the shot/Been cookin? with the sauce/Chef Curry with the pot, boy” To this day, Chef Curry remains a major part of current NBA lore. Until something more iconic comes along, it remains unlikely that any lyric passes this as Drake’s greatest NBA lyric. While the Steph-Magic point guard debate might rage on, this honor goes unquestionably to the only unanimous MVP in league history. But as long as he’s in the lab creating new music, the possibility awaits.

Editorial Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of EssentiallySports.

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