Raptors ambassador Drake: 'If there's anybody I want to beat, it's the Nets'
When you are the Global Ambassador of an NBA franchise, you can have a game night with your name on it.
So the Toronto Raptors have made Drake Night an annual event.
It started last season against the Brooklyn Nets, and continued Wednesday night against ... the Brooklyn Nets. Prior to the game, the rapper at the center of the extravaganza was asked by a horde of media why this recurring theme seems to exist.
"If there's anyone I want to beat, it's the Nets," Drake said.
One would think he would be more focused on Diddy right around now.
"If we have one rival right now, it's the Nets," he continued.
The Raptors lost in the first round of last year's playoffs to said Nets, but not before Drake was caught lint-rolling in $2,000 seats.
The Toronto rapper has been front and center in terms of branding for his hometown squad since the organization reached out to him last year. His official title is Global Ambassador for the franchise.
He reinforced that commitment Wednesday – even as the man who brought him aboard, outgoing Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment CEO Tim Leiweke – has one foot out the door.
Drake says he wants to be with the Raptors as long as they'll have him, regardless of Leiweke leaving.
— Eric Koreen (@ekoreen) December 18, 2014
The recording star also added he has no interest in purchasing a stake in MLSE, the company that controls the Raptors and NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Nets, meanwhile, responded in kind:
"Drake Night" here in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/BJ7XwEJzlQ
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 18, 2014