Drake features on pregame list for only 3 of 7 Team USA players, Kevin Durant included
Team USA, which hopes to have Kevin Durant available, will take on Serbia to open its 2024 Paris Olympics campaign. KD did not play in any of the Americans’ five exhibition games but might be healthy enough to suit up in the tournament opener. If Durant isn’t given the green light to play, coach Steve Kerr can still rely on a star-studded cast against the Serbs.
The NBA superstars have done everything they can to prepare for the Olympics. Right off the bat, they will be tested by the Nikola Jokic-led squad. Although favorites to win, the Americans know they are in for a tough battle.
Team USA players usually try to relax or get themselves ready by listening to pre-game music. When asked by a reporter to name the favorite artist they vibe to before tip-off, seven responded.
Kevin Durant likes Drake, Steph Curry listens to Lecrae while Jayson Tatum has “Drizzy,” Lil Wayne and Jay-Z as favorites. Anthony Edwards unsurprisingly has his brother “Bdifferent” on top of every artist. Like Tatum, Devin Booker mixes it up, preferring Drake, Jay-Z and Kanye West. Derrick White names J. Cole while his Boston Celtics teammate Jrue Holiday doesn’t have a favorite artist to listen to.
There was an intense rap music civil war a few months ago which is why fans were interested to know about Team USA players’ favorite artists. Kendrick Lamar was considered by many to be the winner of his diss track battle royale against Drake. Surprisingly, he didn’t make it to any of the seven players who were asked to comment.
Had LeBron James been asked the same question, he would have most likely included “K.Dot.” The four-time MVP often vibes to the “Not Like Us” hitmaker in pre-game warmups. James even attended the rapper’s highly sought-after “Pop Out” concert in Los Angeles last month.
Kevin Durant spent time with Drake after LeBron James and others attended Kendrick Lamar's concert
NBA players seemed to pick a side in the rift between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan, Kawhi Leonard and others are on the Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper. Kevin Durant stood by “Drizzy.”
Two weeks after James and Co. attended Lamar’s “Pop Out” show, Durant decided to support the Toronto Raptors global basketball ambassador. On Canada Day, the former NBA MVP and the “Nice For What” singer spent some time together.
Differences in the choice of artists to listen to will not come between Team USA players’ goal of winning the Olympic gold medal. LeBron James and Kevin Durant, if healthy, will play crucial roles in the Americans’ campaign in the quadrennial games.