The Raptors have a unique distinction in American sports: the most famous person associated with the franchise has never played for or coached them, or any other team for that matter.
Drake may dwarf Doug Christie or Donyell Marshall in notoriety, but 15 years into a storied musical career he remains eager to shine the spotlight on his hometown teams. Sometimes that entails designing a garish chain simply in case the Blue Jays, Maple Leafs or Raptors win a championship.
Other times, it entails leaping on the Raptors’ telecast and taking potshots at their rivals—as he did to hilarious effect Friday evening during Toronto’s 108–105 loss to the Celtics.
“I feel like I’m in a time lapse right now. First of all, this guy’s not Nick Nurse. I haven’t been here in awhile,” Drake said, alluding to new boss Darko Rajaković. “I don’t know where we’re at. The court’s a completely different color.”
“Payton Pritchard’s out there looking like a crypto scammer”
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 18, 2023
Drake was wildin' on the Raptors broadcast tonight 😅💀 pic.twitter.com/wNRwnvicIK
Then, the artist behind Take Care turned his attention to the Raptors’ opponent.
“Payton Pritchard’s out here looking like a crypto scammer,” he said of the Boston guard. “What’s going on, boys?”
After exchanging pleasantries with Toronto’s TV crew, Drake again self-deprecatingly noted it had been a minute since his last trip to Scotiabank Arena.
“I feel like the last time I was here was 1998,” he said.
