This doesn’t have anything to do with whether you’d be caught dead with Drake playing on your iPod or whether the Toronto Raptors have any business being in first place in the Atlantic Division. This has to do with two parties coming together to make the other stronger.
Like it or not, Drake is the most recognizable Canadian musician on the scene right now next to Justin Bieber. Drake is buddies with LeBron James. He has serious credibility in the NBA scene and is starting to bring the Toronto Raptors a lot of attention.
Of course, it’s working the other way too. Since the Raptors traded away Rudy Gay, the biggest superstar and contract on the team, they own the best record in the Eastern Conference at 12-5 and now sit atop the Atlantic Division. They’re getting it done with the teamwork and honest effort that was on full display Monday during a 96-90 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Drake Night at the ACC.
Drake was there to get the party started, introducing Toronto’s starting lineup while sporting the free giveaway Raptors t-shirt in his very own black and gold colors. That in itself is telling. You don’t see many people sporting the Raptors’ purple and red anymore, but if Drake wears something, it’s instantly cool with the kids. Those free t-shirts are now selling online for as much as $200. He handed out two pairs of OVO Jordan Nike shoes and those are up to $99,000 on eBay bids.
“Tonight isn’t a Drake show. It’s got nothing really to do with Drake. I mean at the end of the day, the Raptors are playing the Brooklyn Nets. It’s really got nothing to do with me, I’m just going to be sitting there.”
Well, for a while anyway. Drake also put in a DJ set during halftime and had a vintage Raptors Vince Carter jersey worked into the inside of his pregame press conference suit. So he certainly had a major part in the festivities and it helps when he sincerely cares about the franchise.
“I think it’s great attention,” Amir Johnson told reporters of Drake’s impact with the team and its supporters. “More people want to know what’s going on with Drake and the Raptors, especially for our younger generation that are big fans and big fans of Drake.”
And, considering the Raptors were falling apart at the seams just weeks ago and now sit in third place in the Eastern Conference, Drake’s “Started From the Bottom” rings especially true at the ACC these days.
The Raptors are back in action Wednesday night when they visit the Boston Celtics.
