NBA trainer Jamal 'Dash' Lovell, widely known as 'Dashletics,' has always been attuned to the music preferences of basketball players. However, when LA Clippers forward Paul George visited Lovell for a training session last summer, Lovell took a unique approach to accentuate George's game. Lovell decided to match George's smooth playing style with the genre of smooth R&B.
In July 2023, Lovell shared a nine-second reel on Instagram showcasing George's ability to read defenses, attack gaps explosively, and execute a bank shot. But what caught everyone's attention was the addition of Erykah Badu's 'Didn't Cha Know' as the background music. This simple gesture turned into George's theme song whenever he had possession of the ball.
George's performance on January 16th, leading the Clippers to a 128-117 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, further cemented the association between him and the fan-given theme song. Reporters in a postgame press conference brought up the theme, and George responded with an honest and lighthearted remark. 'I didn't get it at first, but I guess it's just I'm smooth, but I tell people, you know, I always look at basketball as dancing anyway, so I'm always down to tango,' said George with a laugh.
Initially unaware of where the theme song originated, George credited his teammate Kobe Brown for bringing it to his attention. He acknowledged Lovell, or Dashletics, as the person who popularized the song by using it in the workout footage. Lovell, an enthusiastic fan of Erykah Badu's music, explained that he chose the song for its alignment with George's skill set and artist's neo-soul feel. The smooth and unrushed flow of the song perfectly matched George's effortless style on the court.
Lovell described George's game as 'smooth and clean,' highlighting its poetic and artistic elements. By incorporating the song 'Didn't Cha Know' into the video, Lovell aimed to slow down the viewer's experience and encourage a deeper appreciation for George's movements and basketball finesse. It was his way of bridging the worlds of R&B and basketball, emphasizing the importance of slowing down and making good decisions.
Since Lovell shared the video on Instagram, content creators on social media platforms have created their own edits of George's highlights, using the song as a background track. Even Crypto.com Arena, the home of the Clippers, played the song during a game, showcasing George's best plays against the Los Angeles Lakers.
As George continues to shine on the court, earning himself a spot as a Western Conference All-Star reserve, fans can expect to hear more of his beloved theme song during All-Star weekend and throughout the rest of the season. The fusion of smooth R&B and George's smooth playing style has created a remarkable connection that not only enhances his performances but also adds a unique touch to the NBA experience.
