The best of Drake’s courtside stunts from the Raptors’ wild playoff run
6 God? More like Sixth Man.
Drake, the Toronto Raptors’ global ambassador, had the best seat in the house—literally—for the home team’s thrilling playoff run. Decked out in lint-free trousers, he was the their biggest cheerleader: he slapped backs, taunted opposing players, chirped the refs and engaged in social-media spats. The greatest season in Raps history may be over, but the images, memes and Vines of the basketball club’s most famous fan will live on forever. Here are the best of the bunch.
When the Raptors summoned a ferocious fourth-quarter comeback against the Pacers in round one, Drizzy played enthusiastic hypeman. He was especially fond of a turnover committed by Indiana’s Rodney Stuckey—he even gave him an intimate round of applause.
In that same series, Drake aggressively taunted Pacers star Paul George during Toronto’s 102-99 win in game five. After the contest, the rapper posted (and later deleted) a Photoshopped cartoon teardrop on George’s face with the caption, “3-2… I knew you were scared.”
Drake right now pic.twitter.com/G9RUzNpvUe
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) May 18, 2016
After the Cleveland Cavaliers—led by Drizzy frenemy LeBron James—destroyed the Raptors in game one of the Eastern Conference final, the Internet pounced on poor Drake, renowned as a bandwagon sports fan, well before the shot clock ran out.
When the Raptors ended Cleveland’s 10-game playoff winning streak, Drake—conspicuously absent from Air Canada Centre—posts a crying LeBron and vowed to fly home for game four.
During those rare moments when he wasn’t razzing the opposition, the global ambassador found time to appreciate the home team.
Like any self-respecting MC, Drake took his Cavs beef directly to the streets a photo-sharing platform. Here’s one of him staring down Cleveland point guard Kyrie Irving.
When Raps big man Bismack Biyombo stuffed LeBron with a highlight-reel block, Drake couldn’t help himself.
.@Drake thanks @DeMarreCarroll1 for the hard work, as the @Raptors beat the @cavs 105-99 in Game 4. Series tied 2-2. pic.twitter.com/QkKbMehITD
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 24, 2016
Drizzy gave DeMarre Carroll some love after a series-tying win in game four. Reports that the two celebrated by hitting up Casino Rama till 2 a.m. remain unconfirmed.
The ambassador tried to bring the North some good luck in game five, but the Raps got blown out. “Game six we continue the fight,” Drake wrote. “Please leave all your hate comments below in CAPS so I can really feel your energy as you are typing.”
Drake is cold for leaving this at the Raptors press conference https://t.co/yWmadVKjWN
— SportsNation (@SportsNation) May 26, 2016
With the Raps on the verge of extinction, fans once again predicted the 6 God’s looming allegiance switch.
Drake is ready to go! #CAVSvRAPTORS https://t.co/SxAeWcRbFu
— NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2016
Drake was back courtside for a do-or-die game six. (Notice how he never wears the free, corporate-sponsored T-shirts MLSE gives away to the playoff crowds?)
The refereeing during the Raptors game summed up @Drake @NBA #the6ix #raptors @Raptors @OVORaptors pic.twitter.com/ZLL8IWonnG
— Adriano (@picklessneakers) May 28, 2016
You don’t have to be a licenced lip readers to surmise Drake wasn’t too happy with some of the Cavs-favoured whistles in game six.
Bron-Bron got the last word. After slamming home a thunderous dunk in the first half of Friday’s decisive game, James yelled at Drake, who responded by quietly sipping his straw.
The Cavs ultimately took game six and sent the Raps packing, but Drake, despite fans’ fears, seems to still be with us—for now. “Historic season!” he wrote. “Proud to stand behind my city always!”
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