Drake, the Raptors franchise’s best known fan (and official global ambassador), is also fast becoming their most obvious target for smack talk.
The rapper made an appearance at Friday’s (April 24) game between his beloved hometown team and the Washington Wizards, who were competing in the first round of the NBA Playoffs in D.C. Wizards fans, however, were less than excited to see Drake and his entourage in attendance, booing loudly as he entered the arena midway through the first quarter (maybe they were just disappointed he was late).
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True to form, the rapper maintained his “do it look like we stressin'” ethos, smirking in response and even taking a few awkward bows as he made his way to his (courtside) seats. Watch the video below:
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It wasn’t only Wizards fans who took issue with the rapper during the series, however. Drake was spotted shaking Wizards forward Paul Pierce’s hand on the court after the Raptors’ first loss on Wednesday (April 22) — a move that didn’t go over too well with fans. Toronto legislator Norm Kelly, for example, tweeted this photo…
Yo, @Drake. What the hell is this? pic.twitter.com/F8KUzH1eDG
— Norm Kelly (@norm) April 23, 2015
…and this…
Say it ain’t so, @Drake. pic.twitter.com/Ss7euJGYSM
— Norm Kelly (@norm) April 27, 2015
…telling TMZ Sports that “for Drake to have any recognition of Pierce offended a huge number of fans.”
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The fact that the Wizards went on to sweep the series during yesterday’s game (April 26) meant that the Drake-related Raptors slander was far from over.
First up was fellow rapper (and D.C. native) Wale, who took the opportunity to get a little payback for Instagram shade Drake threw after a Raptors victory earlier in the season. He posted a photo of himself holding a (very tiny) broom with the caption “If u readin this you’ve been swept @champagnepapi (Drake’s IG handle)” — a play on the title of the rapper’s recent mixtape.
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Wizards star Paul Pierce apparently wasn’t swayed by Drake’s earlier cordial gesture, tweeting another play on If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late and mocking the rapper’s reputation as a bandwagon fan:
Drake a fool lol pic.twitter.com/h5qrj1a28i
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) April 27, 2015
Maybe the 6 God should just lay low (basketball-wise, at least) until next season…