The Restart: NBA References That Go Hard
- Tucker Cargile
- Aug 3, 2020
- 2 min read
The NBA restart is truly a blessing. After months of long days, the best professional sports league is back and as good as ever, with games each and everyday. Fingers are crossed that everything continues to work well in the bubble and we get a fantastic NBA Playoff consisting of tight games and an early elimination of the Lakers. To channel our excitement here are some dope lyrics containing an array of NBA references, and no we did not include any Drake lyrics.
Spillage Village, “End of Daze” (2020)
"Plead the four-fifth, drop one, zombies on the block
See, I come with the shot, like Siakam, I pop
I got this Glock from my pops, it make the parking lot stop"
This is the second time that we have posted about this Spicy-P shoutout, but we just couldn't leave the defending NBA Champions hanging. Although there might not be many Siakam name drops out there, this reference by JID makes for one of the best verses of 2020.
Freddie Gibbs and Madlib, “Giannis” (2019)
"Real Gs move in silence like Giannis
My Greek freak, we did a ménage with a friend in St. Thomas"
An incredible 2019 album, Bandana speaks upon black freedom and many powerful black figures throughout. We couldn’t leave this song out because of Gibbs’ poignant lyrics and the fact that Track-10 is named after the reigning MVP. The Greek Freak is the best player in the league right now and he deserves name drop, after name drop.
Beez, “Better Sorry Than Safe”(Freestyle) (2020)
“They bind you down without a loophole, to tell you the truth bro
Even if my plans fall I’m finna stand tall, Manute Bol”
Hummingbird Mag introduced me to Beez and this incredible freestyle, which I immediately fell in love with. Any artist who mentions both Manute Bol and The Bad Boy Pistons in one song is pretty badass. Also, as a Nuggets fan who has high hopes for Bol Bol, I cannot wait until he is getting mentioned in Hip-Hop lyrics like his father.
Amine Feat. Young Thug, “Compensating” (2020)
“This song is hard as goosebumps, rash, baby (Racks)
I'm scorin' by the three, Steve Nash, baby (Yeah)
A couple million fee, all cash, baby (Yeah)”
Young Thug has referenced NBA players in the past, but this Steve Nash name drop just hits differently. Nash is one of my favorite players of all-time and he doesn’t get the lyrical love that he deserves, considering his prolific back-to-back MVP run.
Travis Scott, “Way Back” (2016)
"James Harden with the range on me nigga way back
Homie start switchin' lanes, I thought we went way back"
A notable Rockets fan and Houston native, Travis name dropping Harden is no surprise. “Way Back” was released back in 2016 and Harden has done nothing but improve his game since then, winning the 2018 MVP with ease. Can Harden bring the Finals Trophy back to Scott and the city of Houston this year?
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