In the spirit of the NBA Finals, Genius hit the court to determine whose name is dropped more often in rap music: LeBron James or Stephen Curry. While Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry has been THE storyline of the 2014-15 season, the debate between Curry and Cleveland's LeBron James has been heated. Does King James still reign supreme, or should he watch the throne?
In true basketball fashion, we played first to eleven - who's your money on? LeBron (1-0) Went from most hated to the champion god flow / I guess that's a feeling only me and LeBron know - Kanye West , "New God Flow" Steph (1-1) I been Steph Curry with the shot / Been cookin' with the sauce, chef, curry with the pot, boy - Drake, "0 to 100/The Catch Up" LeBron (2-1) Yeah, I'm talking LeBron, we ball in our family tree - Jay Z, "Clique" Steph (2-2) My gun splash brothers, I call 'em Curry and Klay - Jadakiss, "Block Work" LeBron (3-2) If it's the finals I'm balling like I'm LeBron now - Meek Mill, "Levels" Steph (3-3) Just like Wokcano, b**h I'm Curry'd up - Chief Keef, "Faneto" LeBron (4-3) Hood phenomenon, the LeBron of rhyme - Kanye West, "Devil in a New Dress" Steph (4-4) Wrote a story so Stephen Curry: how it feel to be golden? - Childish Gambino, "Candler Road" LeBron (5-4) Some girls are the LeBron James of mind games - Big Sean, "Deserve It" Steph (5-5) Only here for the weekend, bring a freak friend in a hurry / Always looking for that three, Steph Curry - Mike Stud, "Movie" LeBron (6-5) Cause we all just ticking time bombs, got a Lambo like LeBron's mom - Childish Gambino, "V. 3005" Steph (6-6) Stephen Curry, got 30 in the luggage - Tyga, "Word On Street" LeBron (7-6) (Ain't that where the Heat play? n***as hate ballas these days) Yep! / Ain't that like Lebron James? (Ain't that just like D. Wade? Wait) - Jay Z & Kanye West, "Gotta Have It" Steph (7-7) My young boys shooters, Steph Curry in the playoffs - French Montana, "Hard Work" LeBron (8-7) Fall back like LeBron's hairline against the Mavericks, he lost - Tyler, the Creator, "Martians vs. Goblins" Steph (8-8) Keep the 30 on me like I'm Stephen Curry - Montana of 300, "Chiraq (Remix)" LeBron (9-8) f** them haters and f** them hoes, a championship win is the aftermath, ask LeBron - BIG K.R.I.T, "1 Train" LeBron (10-8) LeBron sh**, I was in that 6 after 23 - Wale, "Ambition" LeBron (11-8) If Jeezy's paying LeBron, I'm paying Dwyane Wade - Jay Z, "Empire State of Mind" While James may have won the battle with Curry, we added a twist. Who's more relevant: Stephen Curry, LeBron James, or His Airness, Michael Jordan? Sorry LeBron, according to Rap Stats™, Michael Jordan is still the most name-dropped basketball player in rap. Maybe next year!
BONUS If you still can't decide who the most relevant basketball player in rap is, let the two men speak for themselves; both LeBron and Curry have showcased their sk**s on the mic before Say what you want about the king /
Got money, got cribs, got whips, and oh yeah n***a, got two rings! - LeBron James, "f**WithMeYouKnowIGotIt (Freestyle)" There's Sunday brunch's Golden Rule / Last night's girl thinks you're a tool / Awkward eye contact just isn't cool / Your boys' call outs are way too cruel - Stephen Curry, "I Love Commons" Can't get enough? The Curry family remixed Drake's "0 to 100/The Catch Up" in December 2014 I'm the real Chef Curry with the pot, boy / Stove is gettin' hot, boy / Olive oil by the box, boy / Avocados for the guac, boy - Curry Family, "Chef Curry With The Pot"