After a long-and-winding NBA season that resulted in the Golden State Warriors trouncing the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games during the 2017 NBA Finals, several of the league’s stars are already enjoying their downtime this off-season.
On Monday (June 25), the inaugural NBA Awards took place in New York City, and showcased some of the league’s brightest stars on the red carpet. Among those stars included newly-named MVP Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Draymond Green, Rudy Gay, Vince Carter, retiring legend Paul Pierce and more.
Billboard spoke to Gay, Carter and Pierce on the red carpet, as they revealed their song of the summer and also their thoughts on the recent passing of rap star Prodigy of Mobb Deep. Check it out below.
Paul Pierce (10x All-Star, 2008 NBA Finals MVP)
Song of the Summer: French Montana “Unforgettable” Featuring Swae Lee
“I’ve been bumping that for a while now. I haven’t done the challenge yet, but I need to put something together on Instagram. I saw Michael K. Williams did something and he killed. I might put out something.”
Thoughts on Prodigy:
“We lost a true pioneer of the hip-hop game. He was a guy, especially from my era, who I had a chance to listen to. A lot of the young kids didn’t know a lot about him, but this is a guy who had a major influence, and some great, classic songs.”
Vince Carter (8x All-Star, 2000 Slam Dunk Champion)
Song of the Summer: “Too hard to choose”
“I’m still stuck in the ’90s and 2000s. I’m still listening to Jeezy. Any JAY-Z album. I’m ready for the new JAY-Z album. Early 50 Cent, Field Mob, and Kendrick is in rotation right now.”
Thoughts on Prodigy: “I have a favorite Mobb Deep moment when [Prodigy] wore my jersey in his video. I was gonna post it, but you know, that was amazing. I’m a fan of all music, whether I listen to [the artists] a lot or not. To see him show respect and wear my jersey was big time, especially since he didn’t know me. He did it on his own because of respect. That was a big moment.”
Rudy Gay (2007 NBA All-Rookie First Team, Plays for the Sacramento Kings)
Song of the Summer: Playboi Carti “Magnolia”
“He’s killing it right now.”
Thoughts on Prodigy: “My sister can tell this story better than me — I don’t know how old I was but I could recite the whole “Shook Ones” song. I might have been like 4, 5, or 6. It’s crazy.”