Drake’s Most Memorable Moment’s On The Court Are Funny, Cringy, And Amazing
Ever since the Toronto Raptors appointed Drake as their official global ambassador heading into the 2013-14 season, the entertainer has played the role perfectly. Throughout the years, we've seen Drake advance from much more than an artist who makes personal music into an NBA superfan. He's given us classic moments that prove he isn't only doing this for show and that he cares about his Raptors. If you're ever on the sideline and Drakes around, perhaps you might receive a shoulder rub from the rapper too! Here are the most memorable moments Superfan Drake has to offer.
Kobe, LeBron, And Drake...
Kobe Bryant announced that the 2015-16 year would be his final season in the NBA. It became a "Farewell Tour" for Bryant that year as he played through old age and two decades worth of injury. When the All-star game came in February of 2016, it would be the last time he squared off against LeBron James in the exhibition game.
As the match started to heat up, Bryant caught the ball on at the three-point line, and there James was, waiting to go one-on-one with the Black Mamba. It was an iconic moment captured that many believe Drake ruined.
Drake Doesn't Hold Back
Game four of the Bucks and Raptors brought out the wildest we've seen in Drake yet. Remember, the Bucks were up in the series 2-1 and with the Raptors on the verge of making the series even at 2-2, the ambassador became overzealous.
After Giannis Antetokounmpo air-balled a clutch free throw, Drake unleashed a wide array of taunting moves including laughing in Antetokounmpo's face. As the game came to an end, Drake gave Raptors coach Nick Nurse a shoulder massage too.
Drake Calls Upon Tupac
It was game six in Toronto as the Raptors had a chance to close out the series and head to their first ever NBA Finals. As you would expect, the building was out of control, and so was Drake. "Drizzy" decided to channel a Tupac character from his movie Above the Rim.
The ambassador donned the same black hoodie which read "100 miles" and had the black bandanna to match. Tupac's team might have lost in the film, but the Raptors managed to handle business all in the name of Drake.
Drake Causes Pivotal Violation
The playoffs were not that far away, and the Raptors needed every win they could get. On a March 16, 2016, game with the Chicago Bulls, Toronto found themselves down by three with 25.8 seconds left. Justin Holiday only had five seconds to inbounds the ball, and there Drake was.
Whispering sweet nothings into Holiday's ear, the Bulls player couldn't get the ball inbounds within the allotted five seconds, causing a turnover. The crowd and Drake went wild, but the Raptors still ended up losing.
Caught Mixing Drinks On The Jumbotron!
It's no secret that Drake is a character. The actor, rapper, and entrepreneur is comfortable within himself, which means he doesn't mind doing what he wants no matter where he is. That includes the sidelines of a Hornets vs. Raptors game.
While casually mixing his drink, the arena decided to put the ambassador on the jumbotron. Shocked, Drake looked up and continued with what he was doing in an awkward yet funny way. That moment spawned hundreds of memes on the internet.
Drake Starts Heckling
In game two of the 2018 playoffs against the Raptors and Wizards, Drake went full heckler mode. He started by coming after Washington Wizards star, John Wall after he yelled, "You're getting bodied by 20 tonight!"
He didn't stop there. Next, after a Raptors player completed an excellent play, the Wizards ran back, and Drake yelled: "You're a bum" at young forward Kelly Oubre. The Raptors went on to win the game 130-119, so Drake was almost correct about his first statement.
"That's My Guy Though"...
Maybe Drake can get away with many of his antics due to a large number of people who have an affinity for the Toronto native. Calling a stranger a bum can't be something that always ends well, but calling a person you're familiar with that same word might fare better.
That seems to be the case here as Kelly Oubre claims he and Drake "pretty much run L.A." Still, when you're in the playoffs, and someone from the opposing team calls you a derogatory name, it might be better to reveal that you're friends after the series is over.
Drake's Clear For Takeoff
The 2019 playoff series between the Raptors and Philidelphia 76ers was one for the ages. Not only did Kawhi Leonard hit a game-winning, series-ending buzzer beater to lead the Raptors to the next round, but Joel Embiid and Drake gave the fans plenty of entertainment.
In game four of this matchup, Embiid hit a windmill dunk before spreading his arms and running across the court imitating a plane. The next game, the Raptors were winning by a considerable margin, and that gave Drake all the ammo he needed to taunt back.
He Pulled Out A Lint Roller...
No superfan in the history of sports has done half the things Drake has done. That includes his 2014 act of pulling out a lint roller in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The game was close as it had barely started and there he was. Sitting at his usual courtside seat, Drake must have looked at his black pants and thought he was too dusty for this game. He then pulled out a lint roller to freshen up as no one noticed. That act inspired the Raptors to give out lint rollers to whoever wanted to buy.
Kevin Durant Gets Comfortable With Drake
Kevin Durant and Drake have a long history between each other. The pair started as friends and then somewhere along the way some tension grew. Whatever they had between each other finally blew over, and they seem to have settled their differences.
On November 29, 2018, friendship reached a new level. Heading into the locker room for halftime, Durant ran into Drake on the sidelines, and the two exchanged playful words. It ended with the Golden State Warrior star twisting Drake's pec for giggles, giving him a "purple nurple" as they call it.
Budenholzer Isn't A Fan
After the series started tipping in favor of the Raptors, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer became critical of Drake's antics. Many had no problem with what Drake did and even suggested to Budenholzer that if he wants Drake to relax, then his team needs to win.
"You know, to be on the court, there's boundaries and lines for a reason, and like I said, the league is usually pretty good at being on top of stuff like that," Budenholzer said.
We Bet Rodney Stuckey LOVED This!
Drake is one of those people that you hate to have against you but would love to have on your team. In the 2016 Eastern Conference playoffs, the Raptors faced the Pacers, and Drake was in full form.
Right before he made some statements to Paul George, their best player. The rapper mocked Rodney Stuckey after he fell out of bounds in a hustle play. Once he got back up, Drake clapped by his ear more viscously then ever.
Drake Welcomes Durant
A few weeks into his first season with the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant walked into the Scotiabank Arena not only having to face the Raptor players but Drake as well. It was going to be a long night for the superstar, and he knew it.
It was the third quarter of the game, and the Raptors just made a three-pointer to build a comfortable lead. Once the three went in, Drake was sure to find Durant only to taunt him. Durant looked unfazed as his team would go on to win.
Helping Out In The Dunk Contest
This time Drake's antics weren't in Toronto. Terrance Ross, who used to play for the Toronto Raptors, was a participant of the 2014 Dunk Contest held in New Orleans. Players have the option to use any prop they want for their slam.
Ross chose to have the newly appointed global ambassador give him a hand, literally. All the rapper had to do was hold the ball up, and Ross proceeded to grab it and complete a between the legs jam. Finally, something that wasn't too childish.
Things Start To Heat Up
The trash talking between Drake and other players hardly escalates further than that. In 2018, that changed when former player Kendrick Perkins (known for his toughness) mouthed off at Drake when halftime approached.
The two jawed at each other, and although it's unclear what they said, someone might have threatened to beat the other guy up. Perkins' posse accused Drake of saying something to which the rapper responded "Nah [expletive] that! I never said that!" Whatever went down between these two seemed like it was fiery!
Drake Loves Poking At Durant
On January 13, 2018, the Golden State Warriors made their way north of the border to take on the Raptors during the regular season. As usual, the global ambassador was there to welcome the reigning champs, and Kevin Durant made it easy for him.
The Raptors had the third best record in the NBA at the time, so their heads were big, and so was Drake's. He heckled them all night but no moment was better than when Durant missed a wide open dunk! The crowd went crazy while Drake was out of his seat, cheering and yelling, "That was trash!"
Trolling The Greek Freak
In game three of the 2019 Eastern Conference finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Raptors brought life into the series after coming back to Toronto. The Bucks won the first two games, leaving Drake no choice but to activate superfan mode in game three.
His antics must have worked (or great coaching) because The Greek Freak was held in check pretty much the whole night. Mr. Ambassador loved every second of Giannis Antetokounmpo's failures, shouting as loud as he could whenever Antetokounmpo attempted a free throw.
And He Airballs!
In 2014, Kentucky University did something other universities haven't done. We must first acknowledge the close relationship Drake has with Coach John Calipari, as he was the one the pushed Drake to go back and finish school. Bring it back to Midnight Madness at Kentucky, and there goes Drake in the layup lines with the rest of the team!
The players thought he was only there to perform, so once the rapper started warming up with them, they thought it was funny. When it was Drake's turn to shoot and he threw up an airball, ESPN analyst Bomani Jones said, "That was the least cool thing he possibly could have done."
Denied Access!
Not too long before he became the official ambassador for the Toronto Raptors, Drake happened to be a massive fan of the LeBron James led Miami Heat. After the Heat secured their second consecutive championship, the locker room was a full on party.
Drake wanted in. As he walked to the lockers in the weaved through the crowded halls, security happened to stop him and say media only. To which the rapper responded, "I am the media." They didn't go for it. That's what happens when you try and take your courtside shenanigans to the back.
Johnny Manziel And Drake Get Booed!
Long before he became an ambassador, Drake always played the part of a superfan. Even if it wasn't with his Toronto Raptors, the entertainer still showed report and love to his favorite teams and players. That included the likes of Johnny Manziel.
In 2014, Drake was with the draft prospect as the two enjoyed a little Final Four action in Dallas. When the jumbotron panned over to Manziel as he received a shoulder rub from the rapper, all the fans booed with no remorse.
