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Making Basketball Great Again: Breaking down the wacky world of NBA music

By Chris Murch

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 24: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers is introduced before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center on October 24, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 24: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers is introduced before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center on October 24, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 24: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers is introduced before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center on October 24, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 24: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers is introduced before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center on October 24, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Part three of my series takes us to the oft-confusing, oft-terrible and typically ill-conceived world of NBA players making music off the court. We’ll take a look at nine current NBA players who have given music a try. Some good, some tragic and some to maybe give a shot.

Sports and rap music go together like Jerry Ferrara and backwards fitted’s circa 2005. There really isn’t one without the other. You hear this quote said often but I really do think it rings true….

"“Athletes want to be rappers, Rappers want to be athletes.”"

Some athletes actually take this sentiment to heart and start careers as artists on the side. How can we forget the 1993 Platinum certified debut album of Shaquille O’Neal, Shaq Diesel? Of course we absolutely cannot overlook Kobe Bryant’s 2000 single “K.O.B.E.” (clever) with the lovely Tyra Banks. Lastly, no way can we not appreciate Metta World Peace’s 2006 album My World which featured the likes of Juvenile, Mike Jones and Diddy. Man, Los Angeles really does do weird things to people.

We have also seen the likes of Allen Iverson (40 Barz is an absolute classic), Stephen Jackson, Chris Webber, Troy Hudson (Who’s album sold a whopping 78 copies its first week) and a few others try their hands at the rap game all with with varying ranges of success.

While they have been lost to hip-hop lore, and with it, the majority of other popular players trying to make a name for themselves in the music industry, there are a few current players who are giving music a shot. Here I will break down some current players music and tell you what to avoid, and what to throw on in the whip. Welcome to the wacky world of NBA Music.

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