During the latest episode of Inside the NBA, former NBA player Jalen Rose made his debut as a guest analyst in Kenny Smith’s absence. While the focus was on basketball, the segment took a lighthearted detour when Kendrick Lamar’s new track, “tv off,” played in the background.
Rose didn’t miss the chance to crack a joke at Lamar’s rival, Drake’s expense. On the Inside the NBA segment, he referenced Drake’s ongoing legal battles with streaming platforms over his rivalry with Lamar and joked about the recent escalation in the feud between the two rappers.
I don’t know if y’all should be playing that Kendrick. Y’all wanna get a lawsuit up in here?
Jalen Rose joked on air
“I don’t know if y’all should be playing that Kendrick, y’all gonna get a lawsuit up here”
— Jalen Rose on TNT Sports pic.twitter.com/3kglPLNYKJ
— NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) November 27, 2024
The two rap giants had been at odds for years under the covers. However, the conflict intensified this summer when they exchanged a series of diss tracks culminating in the release of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” the Drake diss track.
The track broke records for streams and views, topping the billboard charts all summer. Meanwhile, Drake has taken a different approach to the feud. After releasing his diss responses, the Canadian rapper has opted to sue streaming platforms and Universal Music Group (UMG) for allegedly manipulating numbers to boost Lamar’s music.
Citing Kendrick Lamar’s track’s meteoric success, Drake questioned its authenticity and accused UMG of prioritizing the Compton rapper’s career at his expense. Accordingly, Rose joked about TNT facing a potential lawsuit from Drake for playing Lamar’s new track on air.
Throwback to Nicki Minaj’s Appearance on Inside the NBA
This isn’t the first time Inside the NBA has crossed paths with hip-hop royalty. Back in December 2014, Drake’s fellow Young Money Records artist, Nicki Minaj, joined Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Grant Hill for a memorable episode.
The highlight? A freestyle battle between Minaj and Shaq that blended humor, basketball, and rap culture seamlessly. During the segment, Shaq jokingly asked Minaj if she would marry him, prompting a witty response from the rapper. Standing much shorter than the basketball legend, Minaj fired back with clever bars.
I give zero Fs, they ain’t got no chill / And I’m riding the bassline like ‘Quille O’Neal.
Nicki Minaj said
Inside the NBA’s ability to blend cultural relevance and hoop analysis has made it an integral part of the NBA over the years. After finally coming out on top after a summer of uncertainty over their future, expect the Inside crew led by O’Neal and Charles Barkley to continue their shenanigans no matter who is on the other side – be it Drake or Kendrick Lamar.
