“Every basketball player wants to be a rapper”: Kevin Durant and nas discuss how Shaquille O’Neal and Damian Lillard are the best NBA rappers

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant has his priorities set on basketball for sure, but he wouldn’t mind being a rapper like Nas, something he claims is every NBA player’s dream.

There are several NBA players who produce or have produced their own music, both current and former, and being able to string bars is a skill he would love to him. Sitting down with Nas and Bill Simmons, KD opened up about his favorite rapper in the NBA.

Rooted in New York’s rap scene, Nas quickly made a name for himself, and now he’s considered to be one of the greatest rappers of all time as well as a pioneer for the genre.

Also Read: “No one of my age listens to Nas, Future has more classic albums”: When Lonzo Ball disrespected New York’s resident rap GOAT as a Lakers rookie and got clowned by NBA fans

Kevin Durant And Nas Discuss Their Favorite NBA Rappers

Over the history of the NBA, several players have taken an interest in trying hip hop. Shaq was one of the original ones, releasing some killer songs in which he goes after certain players.

Shaq would often spend his free time in the studio with artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Ice Cube, cyphers with the Wu Tang Clan’s Method Man, and RZA.

Damian Lillard is the modern day big shot in the rapping game. Going by his ‘Dame Dolla’ moniker, the Trailblazers star has definitely earned a name for himself in the rapping industry.

So, when KD and Nas were asked about their favorite NBA rappers, they didn’t hesitate. Nas went with the old school option, picking Shaq, while Durant chose Dame. You can watch the full discussion here, and Bill Simmons asks Nas about his best NBA rapper ever at about 3:30. Durant also expresses how he wishes he could rap (and how that’s every NBA player’s dream at about 4:20).

Also Read: “They’re chanting ‘Fuck you Trae Young!’”: Hawks star’s childhood friend describes how his Adidas sneaker debut and playoff debut game-winner vs Knicks at Madison Square Garden immortalized the moment

Post Edited By: Ashish Priyadarshi
Kevin Durant Nas NBA

About the author

Ashish Priyadarshi

Ashish Priyadarshi is The SportsRush's content manager and editor. Ashish freelanced for 1 year in the NFL division before taking on an editorial role in the company. He then tacked on managing content while adding on a writing role in the NBA division. Ashish has been closely following the NFL and NBA since the 2012 season when the Patriots lost the Super Bowl and Derrick Rose was at the height of his powers. Since then, Ashish has focused on honing his knowledge for both leagues in, even writing crossover pieces. In his free time, Ashish is an avid basketball player, he loves to watch movies and TV shows, immersing himself in the cinematic world. Ashish studies computer science and data science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and would love to mesh his love for sports with his technical skills.

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