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NFR Podcast hosts compare LeBron-Wade-Bosh Big 3 to hip-hop's Big 3 while defending J Cole's spot

Back in 2010, LeBron James departed from the Cleveland Cavaliers to form a superstar trio in the Miami Heat. Over a decade later, this pairing is being used as an analogy for an ongoing debate in the rap/hip-hop community.

For the current generation, the three biggest artists in hip-hop have been Drake, Kendrick Lamar and J Cole. However, there are some critics who feel J Cole doesn't belong in the same tier as the other two.

During an episode of the "NFR Podcast," the hosts, Luca and Anthony, discussed this ongoing narrative among rap fans:

"If you want to take a basketball analogy, if you wanna look at the Miami Heat from 2010 to 2014. If they didn't get all three of Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, who were all drafted in the same year and all had their run of dominance for four five seasons, it would have been a big two."

While this trio did only end up having a brief run together, they still had a lot of success. James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh led the Heat to four straight NBA Finals and went back to back in 2012 and 2013.

James also had a lot of personal success during his time in Miami. In the same year that the Heat won the title, the superstar forward also took home the MVP award in the regular season.


J Cole once name-dropped LeBron James in a song

With basketball and hip-hop being so synonymous, the two worlds often intertwine with one another. Numerous rappers have brought NBA stars on stage with them in concert, along with giving them shout-outs in their music.

As one of the league's most notable superstars for two decades now, LeBron James is often name-dropped in songs. Among those to do so is J Cole himself. Back in 2021, he released an album titled "The Off-Season." In the track "100.mil," he refers to the LA Lakers forward:

"Can't leave the game yet. I feel like LeBron."

Three years later, the James reference is still fitting. Despite getting ready to turn 40 later this year, the 20-time All-Star's career continues to rage on. Fresh off helping Team USA win a gold medal in the Summer Olympics, LeBron is gearing up for his 22nd season in the NBA.

Based on his level of play, it's clear James still has a lot left in the tank. Last season for the Lakers, he averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists.

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