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NBA Finals: The NBA needs some Drake on its biggest stage

By Michael Mannen

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 14: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors and the Eastern Conference and rapper Drake look on during introductions for the NBA All-Star Game 2016 at the Air Canada Centre on February 14, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 14: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors and the Eastern Conference and rapper Drake look on during introductions for the NBA All-Star Game 2016 at the Air Canada Centre on February 14, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The last thing the NBA needs to worry about is Drake getting some of the spotlight in the Finals

Despite the historic run of the Toronto Raptors, you can make the argument that one of the most discussed topics in the NBA Finals has been Drake.

The international hip-hop-star has come under fire for his behavior on the Raptors’ sidelines. This promoted the NBA to take action.

Commissioner Adam Silver spoke about the issue with Drake and noted:

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"The league office had conversations directly with Drake and his manager, and I think we ended up in a good place…“I think certainly we don’t want fans, friend or foe, contacting an NBA coach during a game. I think that even as Nick Nurse later said, I didn’t even realize it was Drake or hardly was aware that I was being touched, and I think those can lead to dangerous situations.”"

What was Drake’s crime? The Milwaukee Bucks took issue with a mid-game shoulder rub that Drake gave to Raptors head coach Nick Nurse. However, seeing how much pressure coach Nurse was under, a shoulder rub was due.

And I guess we know what makes the NBA’s hotline blink.

In most sports, this type of shenanigan by any fan would be frowned upon. However, the NBA is not most like most sports.

The NBA is a fan’s league. And Drake embodies the culture of the NBA and its fans all around the world. He represents the excitement of the NBA playoffs. This is the distinct culture of the NBA.

However, Drake is not just a fan, he is employed by the Raptors as an ambassador. He is a part of the Raptors team.

The NBA’s comments to Drake did not alter his behavior in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. After the Raptors won Game 1, he got into a heated exchange with Draymond Green.

I guess it is easier to go at Drake than it is to stop Pascal Siakam.

Drake is also not afraid of the Warriors. Moreover, neither are the Raptors.

Who can blame Drake for being excited; this is the first year where the Warriors have not been preordained to win the NBA title. The Warriors with KD have a virtual monopoly on the title each year.

Despite the narrative around the Dubs, the Warriors were not dominant in the playoffs without KD.

Before KD was on the Warriors’ roster, the Dubs were  19-12 in the playoffs against teams with at least 55 regular season wins in the regular season. The Warriors also have never won a playoff series against any team with at least 57 regular season wins.

Every team Michael Jordan beat in the Finals was a team that won at least 57 regular season games. Moreover, for his last four championships, every team he beat had won more than 62 regular season games.

After the Warriors added KD, there were analysts naming Stephen Curry as the greatest point guard in the NBA, Klay Thompson as one of the greatest shooters ever, and Draymond has even called himself the greatest defensive player ever.

If this is true, the Warriors should no problem winning a championship this year without KD.

Magic and the Lakers beat better teams than the Raptors in the Finals. So did Isiah Thomas. Isiah Thomas and the Pistons beat the Bulls in the playoffs when they had Scottie Pippen and MJ.

Kevin Durant is a generational player and even the thought of him going to the Knicks, the worst team in basketball,l has raised their title odds to be higher than the Lakers, OKC, and Trail Blazers.

Without KD, the Raptors not only won 58 games this season, but the NBA is as competitive as it has ever been. Moreover, Leonard missed 22 because of “load” management.

When the Warriors won their title in 2015, LeBron James did not have Kyrie Irving or Kevin Love in the Finals. The 2016 Cavaliers were a great team, but they lacked the depth to make adjustments and to play great defense. However, the Raptors do not suffer from these weaknesses.

The league has improved since KD went to the Warriors and the Raptors have shown their prowess by beating the Bucks and 76ers in the playoffs. The Raptors are led by a former NBA champion and NBA Finals MVP. They are the best team the Warriors have taken on in the playoffs or NBA finals without KD. Period.

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The 2019 NBA Finals is the first NBA Finals in the past three seasons where the winner has yet to be determined. This is exciting for fans and I guess even for celebrities like Drake.

And Drake is one of the best parts of the NBA Finals this year.

So, when it comes to Drake’s antics or the Warriors struggling to win in the finals, the NBA can “Kawhi me a river.”

The NBA Finals needs some Drake.

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