Did you know that Shaq had a music album go platinum? What can’t that man do? Today we’re gonna talk hoops, hip hop, and some not-so-subtle hints. Let’s get after it: ⬇️

Today’s Lineup

🎶 Ballplayers Want to be Rappers

1️⃣ Damian Lillard is probably the best well-known hooper to try the rap game. While he hasn’t taken off as a mainstream artist or anything, Lillard has consistently released quality albums through the years under the name “Dame D.O.L.L.A.” 

Lillard has done collabs with Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and the boss Rick Ross. Dame D.O.L.L.A. even showed up in an All-State commercial in baby form and 8 years later it's still stuck in our heads. 

We especially love his song entitled “Kobe” where he and Snoop rap about The Black Mamba:

2️⃣ Victor Oladipo grew up singing in church and in school choirs from when he was 7 years old. Raised by two Nigerian parents in the greater Washington, DC area, Oladipo was exposed to Gospel, Afrobeats, and R&B which influenced his adult music taste.  

V.O. has a smooooth voice and has dabbled in Oladipo has made songs with PnB Rock and Tory Lanez. The former all-star shooting guard clearly has a passion for music, having sung during his Slam Dunk contest in 2015, after receiving his NBA Most Improved Player Award in 2018, and even on The Masked Singer:

3️⃣ Did you know Chris Webber produced 2 songs for Nas? On the New York rapper’s 2006 album “Hip Hop is Dead,” the Hall of Fame big man made beats for “Surviving the Times” and “Blunt Ashes.” CWebb had experimented with creating beats when he was a young kid in Detroit, so props to him for taking that side passion and contributing to one of history’s greatest rappers.  

👀 Embiid Tampers on Live TV

In the pre-game coverage of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, the ESPN team hosted Joel Embiid and Paul George as guest analysts. Podcast P is obviously used to having a microphone in his hand, but “Troel” Embiid stole the show with just a few words…

Joel gave Paul George a glance when discussing how Philly will “hopefully find a way to get better and add some pieces” this offseason. We can’t believe the boldness of Embiid. It’s hilariously diabolical to tamper on live television when every NBA fan is tuned in 😭 

The Celtics dominated the first three games of the NBA Finals and have looked good doing it. On the court, they’ve of course been creating good looks and playing stifling defense, but off the court they’re coming equally locked in 🔐

Signing Off

Game Five is tomorrow!! In case it’s the last game of the 2023-24 season, make sure to Enjoy Basketball more than ever!

-Conor Geelan