The public relationship between NBA superstar LeBron James and rapper Drake appears to have hit a rough patch. The tension reportedly began after James attended a Kendrick Lamar concert, where Lamar used his song “Not Like Us” to seemingly take shots at Drake. Following this, the Canadian rapper unfollowed James on Instagram.
On Friday, the drama escalated further when a freestyle titled “Fighting Irish” surfaced on producer Conductor Williams’ YouTube channel. The track, performed by Drake, delves into themes of strained friendships and lost loyalty. Drake’s lyrics suggest a once-close bond with James that has since deteriorated.
“Remember we tradin’ watches? I gave you that Arabic dial. You gave me a numbered edition; you would even check up on my son like a pediatrician. Sure convinced the gang this shit was rooted in love when it isn’t. Show me how different we are; there’s a blessing in juxtaposition. I guess now you boys got to abandon your summer tradition,” the lyrics read.
Twitter users think Drake’s newest diss track is aimed at LeBron James. pic.twitter.com/ozOLsPniJK
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 3, 2025
“Cold shoulders I gave in the Hamptons; it come with the distance. Figured we was always gon’ be close, like ovens and kitchens. I was sadly mistaken, the loyalty wasn’t a given.”
The lyrics, filled with personal anecdotes and references, have led social media users to theorize that Drake is expressing disappointment over James’ perceived lack of loyalty. The mention of “abandoning summer tradition” could hint at their past vacations together, which were once a hallmark of their friendship.
The way Drake wove those Hamptons party references with the basketball metaphors makes it pretty clear who he's talking about – wild seeing their friendship unravel so publicly.
— Paolotoshi Nakamoto (@pattherogue) January 4, 2025
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Drake and Bron beefing 😂
— Trey.B (@Treybrown3) January 3, 2025
No one in rap history has been more sensitive than drake 😂😂
— Beloved Bone (@BelovedBone) January 3, 2025
Lebron liked a song. It's okay dog 😂😂😂😂
@Drake cooked @KingJames
— Lex the Mex (@dpakakhaled) January 3, 2025
Oh hell no Drake
— RASHXXXD (@Rasheto) January 3, 2025
Austin Reaves On The Lakers’ Success Without LeBron James
LeBron James, who had committed to playing all regular season games this year, recently missed two games due to a foot injury. Lakers guard Austin Reaves shared his perspective on how the team has been able to adapt and perform without their star player.
“It’s really just about playing the game the right way, trusting the offense, and the system that we have. It’s never fun to not have Bron. He creates so much chaos and security for us. But it’s just a collective group. Everybody knows that they got to step up and do something too for us to be successful,” Reaves said.
In James’ absence, the Lakers won one and lost one. While LeBron’s presence brings a unique combination of leadership and playmaking, the team’s ability to stay focused and united has been crucial in his absence.
Also Read: Social Media Was Completely Fooled By Photo Of LeBron James’ Enormous Package