Image via Rachelle Baker
We all know that comparing NBA players and rappers isn't a new idea by any stretch. We actually did this same exact list all the way back in 2017. It's fun. But a lot has changed since then, so it felt appropriate to update a topic that is often heavily debated between rap and NBA fans. And why wouldn't it be? We're not sure two groups of fans like to debate as much as rap and NBA fans, so why not merge all of that together and take a break from arguing if Drake has a classic album (he does) and shift the conversation?
As you'll notice, we've changed quite a few of the comparisons from the last go around. There's plenty of young stars in both rap and the NBA who broke onto the scene, and we also switched up some of the equivalents who did make the last list. Things change, and the most important thing to remember is that this is by no means an exact science. The process of picking these out was fun, but also heated. You probably won't love all of them, and that's fine. At the end of the day, this is all about personal preference.
You'll also notice that some key players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant aren't included because, frankly, we didn't want to force a comparison that didn't make sense just for the sake of doing it. But without further ado, let's get to our list of current NBA superstars and their rapper equivalents for 2020.
LeBron James Is Drake
This is the easiest one of the group and one that didn't change from the last time we did this. In fact, you could argue the argument for LeBron James being Drake only got stronger. LeBron has continued to prove that he's the best player in the NBA, and Drake has put up numbers like we've never seen before. Both are kings of their respective crafts, but both are also followed by a large group of doubters who will never truly accept them as GOATs. The stats that both put up seem almost normal at this point, but they're really not. Whether it's LeBron's incredible stretch of going to the NBA Finals or Drake's insane streaming numbers, these guys are setting the pace in rap and the NBA.
Some will never say LeBron is better than Michael Jordan, and some will never say Drake is better than Jay-Z, but that doesn't mean it's time to diminish the accomplishments of either. Fact is, both Drake and LeBron have changed their respective industries and cemented themselves as two of the greatest to ever do it. Nobody can take that away.
Steph Curry Is J. Cole
The debate around this selection got spicy, but when you think about it, Steph Curry and J. Cole have a lot in common. Both are from North Carolina, and both have played with massive chips on their shoulder throughout their careers. Whether it's Steph's early issues with injuries or people saying that J. Cole would never be the No. 1 guy in rap, both Curry and Cole have proved that they deserve all the shine and accolades that have come their way over the years. I have a feeling some might argue that Cole isn't on Steph's level, but I'd counter that J. Cole has been on an absolute tear since he dropped 2014 Forest Hills Drive.
Not only with the quality of music, but he's put up numbers that point to just how big he is in the rap game. Few have changed the game like Cole and Curry since they came onto the scene, and they'll be forever looked at as legends. However, with Cole reportedly seriously considering a run at the NBA, we do have to say that Steph definitely has a better jump shot.
Luka Dončić Is Lil Baby
Talk about bursting onto the scene and making a difference. You could easily argue that nobody made more of an impact in rap in 2020 than Lil Baby, who quickly became the go-to featured rapper. You could also easily argue that Luka Dončić is the most exciting young player in the NBA. Both have "future MVP" of their crafts written all over them, and both carry a certain swagger, letting you know they're going to be dominating for years to come. The confidence is backed up by skill, which both Luka and Lil Baby carry by the boatload, as evidenced by how highly both are already looked at in their respective industries. We'll be hearing about both Lil Baby and Luka for years and years to come. Absolute stars already.
Kawhi Leonard Is Kendrick Lamar
Another one that seems so obvious that you just have to do it. There's not only the California connection between Kendrick Lamar and Kawhi Leonard, but also the fact that they're both quiet assassins in what they do. You'll rarely hear them talk shit, but when they go out and do what they're supposed to do, wins are put on the board. This is, of course, us putting up a blind eye to the most recent Clippers run, but when you look at overall careers, Kawhi has already stamped his place as one of the best in NBA history. As for Kendrick? Well, his career speaks for itself and is only going to get better from here. Project after project that not only delivered, but changed the game, much like Kawhi delivering the first championship in Raptors history.
Chris Paul Is Lil Wayne
This one is fun because a lot of people have probably tried to write off both Chris Paul and Lil Wayne in recent years. What have they done? Continued to go out and perform at a high level when nobody thought they could do it. Whether it's Lil Wayne putting up huge numbers with the release of Carter V or CP3 leading the Thunder to the playoffs, people have been quick to say both of their careers were winding down. Both of those notions seem to be very premature, but the only thing we're worried about with this one is how long before the illustration becomes outdated with all of the Chris Paul trade rumors out there. Guess that's just part of the game when you're still putting up big numbers after this many years, which is a true statement for both CP3 and Lil Wayne.
Russell Westbrook Is Young Thug
Talk about two guys who do shit their own way. Also talk about two guys who probably aren't as appreciated for how great they are. Young Thug and Russell Westbrook have made careers of being true individuals and not giving a damn about what anyone thinks. They're also constantly counted out as not being able to reach the top of the mountain, but both have continued to be themselves and make no apologies. Thug had to battle back against critics who said he couldn't make a full album of heat (he clearly has), while Westbrook has had to fight the notion that he's not a winning player. Both are clearly ridiculous, and Thug and Westbrook will continue to win and do it by the beat of their own, unique drum. We also can't ignore the fashion aspect of this comparison, with both Westbrook and Thug truly having their own style and not giving a damn who likes it. Again, they are who they are, and they don't care if you're not about it.
Jayston Tatum Is Roddy Ricch
Right here we have two guys who burst onto the scene basically out of nowhere and have proved they deserve to be in the conversation as stars. Roddy Ricch has done nothing but make hits since emerging, and Jayson Tatum has quickly ascended the ranks as an All-NBA player. Both Roddy and Tatum are already putting up huge numbers in their fields, and the sky appears to be the limit for where each can take their careers. We'd probably say that Tatum has more haters than Roddy at this point, but with how good Tatum continues to be every single season, it's going to become more and more difficult to diminish what he's doing. There's of course no "Rap All-Star" team, but if there were, Roddy and Tatum were both easy All-Stars in 2020. The future is bright.
Carmelo Anthony Is Nas
Both Nas and Carmelo Anthony have had legendary careers. Both started their careers with maybe their best work, with Nas dropping Illmatic and Carmelo winning a NCAA championship at Syracuse. Both have been heavily hated and doubted throughout their careers, but both have also achieved accolades to prove that they're two of the best to ever do it. Haters will point out the Hov beef or weaknesses in Melo's game, but fact is, both are legends. Will Nas ever be Jay-Z? No. Will Carmelo ever be LeBron? No. And that's fine. That shouldn't be a knock on Nas or Carmleo and certainly shouldn't take away from anything they've done over the years. Both Nas and Anthony are first-ballot Hall of Famers, and that is not up for any sort of debate.
Trae Young Is Gunna
Another one where location matters, but these two have incredible skill sets that mirror each other's. Trae Young and Gunna are just getting started in their careers, and both have already made a huge impact on the rap game and the NBA. This one is also heavily tied to our Luka and Lil Baby comparison because, whether we like it or not, Gunna will always be compared to Baby and Trae will always be compared to Luka. That shouldn't take anything away from either, and we should appreciate just how great Trae Young and Gunna are. We already know that Atlanta is the epicenter of rap right now, which means it's on Young to bring that type of attention to the Hawks. The good news is he has the talent to do so. Big things are in the immediate future for both of these guys.
Jimmy Butler Is Freddie Gibbs
Yes, we did this. You may not like it but Jimmy Butler and Freddie Gibbs both proved in 2020 that they're two of the best in the game. They may have been overlooked in the past or not considered at the star level as some of their peers, but if you listened to Alfredo or watched Butler's run to the NBA Finals, you know that these guys deserve all the praise coming their way. And ugh, let's just say that both Butler and Gibbs aren't afraid to voice their opinions and get into beef when they feel it's necessary. And you know what? We love it. Ruffle some damn feathers and go out there and prove just how great you are. We need more of that, and both Butler and Gibbs continue to show that you should never count them out.
Damian Lillard Is Damian Lillard
We had to do it. It's just too obvious. We were thinking about who would be the perfect comparison for Damian Lillard and it dawned on us that it's very clearly Damian Lillard. Haters will point out that Dame's rap career and success doesn't match his NBA accolades, but who cares? He makes good music and has proved that he can hold his own in the booth when called upon. Dame continues to do things his own way, and his rap career is just another factor that makes him who he is. He's always true to himself, and his loyalty to Portland proves that he's not like most NBA superstars. He's going to put up his numbers and go about his business. As our colleague Pierce Simpson tweeted during the playoffs, these guys aren't Dame's friends, but simply his co-workers.