Drake’s longstanding feud with former Toronto Raptor DeMar DeRozan has reappeared.
During a recent Raptors game against the Sacramento Kings, which Toronto won in a 131-128 overtime thriller, Drake made a bold statement about DeRozan. He declared on-air that he would personally remove any banner the Raptors might raise in honour of DeRozan, stating, “If you ever put a DeRozan banner up, I’ll go up there and pull it down myself.” This comment sparked a flurry of reactions across social media, with fans and spectators pondering the deep-rooted tension between the two.
The conflict between Drake and DeRozan dates back to DeRozan’s public support for Kendrick Lamar during Lamar’s musical feud with Drake. Lamar’s track “Not Like Us” appeared to target Drake and included a cameo by DeRozan, intensifying the rift. The song, seen as a response to Drake, criticized the lack of appreciation for DeRozan’s efforts in Toronto, suggesting a deeper connection to his Compton roots.
Drake, a minority stakeholder in the Raptors and a fixture at games, has seemingly harboured resentment towards DeRozan since the incident. His recent outburst is just the latest indication of unresolved issues from that period.
The debate over Drake’s comments is split among fans and sports commentators. Some Raptors fans echo Drake’s sentiments, feeling DeRozan compromised his team loyalty by aligning with Lamar. However, many others argue that DeRozan’s significant contributions to the Raptors during his nine seasons with the team deserve recognition, irrespective of any off-court disputes.
So far, neither DeRozan nor Lamar has addressed Drake’s recent statements. This ongoing saga leaves many wondering whether Drake’s influential role with the Raptors could potentially impact any formal acknowledgements planned for DeRozan. With the fan base divided and the tension palpable, the future of this feud remains uncertain, leaving open the question of whether there will be reconciliation or a continuing divide between the two stars.
