Tag: Shaquielle O’Neal

Top 5 basketball stars who have invested in esports

Basketball stars are investing in esports and it’s not just the returns that are sparking their interest.

Esports started as a niche of a niche — hardcore competition in video games. For decades it could only happen in damp warehouses and cigarette-smoke-laden internet cafes. Recently, however, it has been deemed a lucrative investment by superstars from its athletic cousins, including the NBA and WNBA.

Investments made by famous people from across different fields are far from what makes esports the cultural phenomenon that it is, but they don’t hurt. For a number of the entries in this article, their interest in esports came not through a monetary incentive, but from a connection to the medium – either a personal passion or the passion of their children.

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A definitive ranking of the NBA’s rappers, from best (Damian Lillard) to unplayable (Dwyane Wade)

Lots of bars.

Hip hop and the NBA have always been extremely adjacent. For decades now, rappers have wanted to be hoopers. Hoopers have wanted to be actors.

There have been times where we’ve seen crossover (pun sort of intended). Shaq, Stephen Jackson, the list goes on. Fast forward to today, where we’ve sort of hit a golden age of hoopers who actually rap.

That’s not necessarily a good thing. They’re not all the greatest. If that’s not clear, all you have to do is listen to Kyrie Irving’s latest snippet on Instagram.

As average as Irving’s raps were, though, that got me thinking — how many of the NBA’s rappers are actually good? And who might be the best one? So, of course, y’all know what that means.

It’s time for a ranking. Here are the best NBA rappers of all-time.

Warning: There is some NSFW language included in these videos.