of the NBA’s only Canadian team, Drake has built friendships with several Raptors players over the years.
However, during the Raptors’ recent game against the Sacramento Kings, DeRozan, now a King, didn’t receive the warmest welcome from the rapper.
The weekend match was marked by the Raptors’ retirement of Vince Carter’s jersey—a high honor symbolizing Carter’s impact on the team.
While DeRozan, a six-time All-Star and longtime Raptor, has made a strong case for similar recognition, Drake voiced a different opinion on TSN, Canada’s sports network.
“If you ever put a DeRozan banner up, I’ll go up there and pull it down myself,” Drake joked.
DeRozan, who appeared in Kendrick Lamar’s recent diss track video Not Like Us—a song widely believed to be aimed at Drake—didn’t miss the opportunity to clap back.
“He’s going to have a long way to climb to take it down, so tell him good luck,” he retorted.
Despite the playful jabs, DeRozan later described their banter as a friendly rivalry, comparing it to a hypothetical one-on-one between NBA legends Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
Although the comments suggest some tension, the Raptors’ 131-128 victory over the Kings may have softened the sting for Drake and Toronto fans.
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