Last night (May 21), the Toronto Raptors beat the Milwaukee Bucks 120-102 to even their NBA Eastern Conference finals series at 2-2. Despite their series lead evaporating, Bucks fans appear more preoccupied with action off the court — namely, that of Raptors global ambassador Drake.
Games at which Drake appears courtside can see him swing between broadcast host, fashion icon and human meme, and last night's tilt was no exception.
The choice bit of absurdity from the evening came in the game's final quarter, as the American broadcast picked up Drake giving Raptors head coach Nick Nurse a quick shoulder massage on the sideline.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel not only took issue with Drake's shoulder rub, but claimed that he is "allowed to roam the court freely" when getting into other expressive celebrations — including peals of laughter after Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo bricked his umpteenth free throw of the night.
Taking stock of his courtside revelry, Bucks fans called for a ban on Drake's music while doubling down on further "rap is crap" grandstanding, his sad jump shot, the ancient "Drake Tears" dig and even a cringe-inducing imitation.
A now-deleted tweet from a senior director of Octagon Basketball Europe, the agency representing Antetokounmpo, read, "Imagine a gig & an athlete on VIP seats, right next to the band, stands up on the stage just to show off during the entire game, knowing cameras are on him, occasionally even massaging the singer. Security&him both allow it. Never seen anything as disrespectful as this before..."
Of course, Drake has shown time and again that his role with the Raptors is more than being a celebrity fan. His ties to the organization have resulted in an OVO-centric rebrand of the team's practice facility, not to mention sharp game jerseys. He's helped revitalize community courts all over the city. He even had his own locker in the dressing room at one point this season.
While the NBA has yet to comment publicly on Drake's behaviour, it wouldn't be the first time the rapper has been asked to tone it down on the sidelines.
Last season, Drake received a warning from the league after getting into verbal confrontations with visiting player Kendrick Perkins during the Raptors' conference semi-finals matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In 2014, the Raptors were fined $25,000 by the league after Drake made an in-concert comment about Kevin Durant potentially playing for the Raptors, a comment that was found to be in violation of the NBA's anti-tampering rules.
While Bucks fans wonder whether or not Drake will don his new diamond-encrusted jacket in Milwaukee tomorrow (May 23) for Game 5, it appears he's already made himself at home in their heads. Raptors in six.
Games at which Drake appears courtside can see him swing between broadcast host, fashion icon and human meme, and last night's tilt was no exception.
The choice bit of absurdity from the evening came in the game's final quarter, as the American broadcast picked up Drake giving Raptors head coach Nick Nurse a quick shoulder massage on the sideline.
Nobody:
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 22, 2019
Drake at Raptors games: pic.twitter.com/ZKFv5EEQ5b
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel not only took issue with Drake's shoulder rub, but claimed that he is "allowed to roam the court freely" when getting into other expressive celebrations — including peals of laughter after Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo bricked his umpteenth free throw of the night.
Drake stays clowning Giannis at the free throw line 💀 pic.twitter.com/W4iiGg7nMi
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 22, 2019
Taking stock of his courtside revelry, Bucks fans called for a ban on Drake's music while doubling down on further "rap is crap" grandstanding, his sad jump shot, the ancient "Drake Tears" dig and even a cringe-inducing imitation.
drake is clowning giannis, a professional basketball player, meanwhile his jumper looks like this pic.twitter.com/043lNOnCjP
— 🦌 (@SnellSZN) May 22, 2019
I never thought I'd say this, but I wish Drake would go back and make more ear-bleeding horrible music.
— Doug Russell (@DougRussell) May 22, 2019
Huge shoutout to the @Brewers for making my dream come true. Couldn't have done it without @drake's motivation pic.twitter.com/39viS9Uumj
— Bartetokounmpo Winkler (@WinksThinks) May 22, 2019
A now-deleted tweet from a senior director of Octagon Basketball Europe, the agency representing Antetokounmpo, read, "Imagine a gig & an athlete on VIP seats, right next to the band, stands up on the stage just to show off during the entire game, knowing cameras are on him, occasionally even massaging the singer. Security&him both allow it. Never seen anything as disrespectful as this before..."
Of course, Drake has shown time and again that his role with the Raptors is more than being a celebrity fan. His ties to the organization have resulted in an OVO-centric rebrand of the team's practice facility, not to mention sharp game jerseys. He's helped revitalize community courts all over the city. He even had his own locker in the dressing room at one point this season.
While the NBA has yet to comment publicly on Drake's behaviour, it wouldn't be the first time the rapper has been asked to tone it down on the sidelines.
Last season, Drake received a warning from the league after getting into verbal confrontations with visiting player Kendrick Perkins during the Raptors' conference semi-finals matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In 2014, the Raptors were fined $25,000 by the league after Drake made an in-concert comment about Kevin Durant potentially playing for the Raptors, a comment that was found to be in violation of the NBA's anti-tampering rules.
While Bucks fans wonder whether or not Drake will don his new diamond-encrusted jacket in Milwaukee tomorrow (May 23) for Game 5, it appears he's already made himself at home in their heads. Raptors in six.