Team USA, this time, sailed its way to a 105-79 Showcase win over Serbia tonight at Abu Dhabi. A preview of the two teams’ battle in Group C at the Olympics, this one definitely worked in favor of the Americans. However, what’s going viral right now is something else entirely. Of course, Team USA’s 3-0 record is more than welcome. But those LeBron James-Stephen Curry moments are all the rage now. And tonight, the Splash Brother set the stage for one such instance.

We are well aware of the King’s love for the latest diss track, Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar. But it seems like we might have underestimated just how deep the love runs. After the victory against Team Serbia, Not Like Us was blowing at full volume in the arena, when Curry said, “Damn with this song! It’s not the only song in America!” causing everyone around to erupt in laughter.

James, for his part, laughed and replied, “I love it!” Oh, we know! LeBron was, after all, one of the elite stars who was present at the Inglewood concert of KDot. @basketballcoverage on Instagram shared the lighthearted clip with the caption, “Drake is having a rough week 😭”

Team USA played Not Like Us after their first win, too. And yes, it was after their victory against Team Canada, in a way, a straight knife to Drake’s heart. Given how this song is being played after every Exhibition game win, it looks like a 2024 Showcase tradition of Team USA, further lodging the proverbial knife.

Kendrick Lamar’s phenomenal track has become something of an anthem, it would seem. It continues to rank No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. And according to the stats, it’s the second week of being the top track! While Stephen Curry might be ready to move on from Not Like Us, it seems like America has other plans.

LeBron James and Team USA’s winning anthem (seemingly) looks like it’s here to stay

It seems like Not Like Us has turned into the ‘indirectly direct jab’ whenever and wherever a Canadian team or Drake is involved. The ‘6 God’ has wisely kept away from social media for some time now, but it didn’t stop him from betting $300,000 on Canada in the Copa-America semi-final. As luck would have it, Argentina took care of business on and off the field. They did not hesitate even a moment as Argentina soccer’s social media team took to X with the caption, “Not like us, not with us.” Yeah … no further explanation necessary.

Of course, LA teams are naturally going to embrace their Californian rap God and welcome his songs into their playlists. The Los Angeles Dodgers now have Not Like Us as part of the pregame playlist rotation! And Gavin Lux, the second baseman, went as far as making it his walk-up music. He wasn’t alone, though.

Matt Chapman, California native and third baseman for the Giants, also changed his walk-up music to, yes, the Drake diss track. It hit particularly hard when the Toronto Blue Jays arrived for a three-game set from July 9 to 11. Adding insult to the injury was the fact that Chapman was part of the Jays in the 2022-23 season! The irony!

If you thought it was only teams that generously made use of Lamar’s contribution, think again. Serena Williams took advantage of the 17x Grammy Award winner’s track to settle an old score. Arriving at the ESPYS, Williams took her sweet time to rip Drizzy. “If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that none of us, not a single one of us, not even me, should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar. He will make your hometown not like you. The next time Drake sits courtside at a Raptors game, they’re going to Forrest Gump him. Seat’s taken.”

It was in 2022 when the Canadian rapper directed a jab at her husband, Alexis Ohanian, via his track, Her Loss. “Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie/ He claim we don’t got a problem but no, boo, it’s like you comin’ for sushi/ We might pop up on ’em at will like Suzuki.” 

Suffice it to say that the 23x Grand Slam title-winner has been waiting for a moment like this. Well, sorry Steph Curry, but it looks like you’ll have to bear Not Like Us for a long time. And LeBron James can continue enjoying his daily dose of Lamar!

Before you go, though, be sure to check this video of Leonard Armato’s take on the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe. Don’t forget to check back in for more such updates from our ES Fancast!