Update time: As any regular reader of the ShaqFu Radio blog knows, the Big Man has been in a bit of a rap battle with another NBA star, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard. Now it seems another NBA mega-star has gotten involved. Longtime Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade has offered some comments supporting Shaq.
It all started with Lillard’s appearance on the Joe Budden podcast, a show perfectly positioned for this story, as the shows talks about both sports and hip hop. On a recent episode, Lillard – who goes by the name “Dame D.O.L.L.A.” for his music, claimed that he was a better rapper than Shaq (who, as we already know, goes by the name DJ Diesel for his live appearances). So it was, to say the least GAME ON…
Shaq responded with a new rap track of his own, dissing Lillard, his game and lots more. Shaq put it this way: “If he says ‘I look better than you,’ then okay, I gotta hit the gym and work out; if he says ‘My shoes are whiter than yours,’ then I gotta go to the store and pick out a better pair. Other people take that stuff personally but I don’t. If you challenge me, I’ll step up to the challenge.”
As for his track, Lillard (or should we say Dame D.O.L.L.A.) gave a shout out to Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade, saying D-Wade didn’t need Shaq to win the Championships collected by the Heat.
Recently, the tabloid TV show TMZ Sports caught up with Wade and was asked about Lillard’s lyrics. For those needing a refresher, here you go: “Said yourself that I’m a Tesla, no longer need Diesel gas. Kinda like the Cavs ain’t really need Diesel’s ass. And even in Miami, won that [championship] on the strength of Flash.” (Flash being D. Wade, of course.)
Always the gentleman, Wade TMZ Sports that he disagreed with the assessment:
“No, not at that time,” Wade said. “… I was young in the league trying to figure it out. I needed somebody like Shaq to help me … gimme me the keys and let me drive the car. I appreciate him doing that.”
Hot battle or just good ‘ol clean fun? As for Wade, he thinks (and says) there’s nothing personal about the rap battle. Shaq agrees. He spoke to Rolling Stone Magazine not long ago and said: “The thing that went on for me and him was just for fun. I think he’s really, really good and he’s very talented. We had fun.”
As far as who’s the better rapper, you can check out the videos and decide for yourself. As far as actual NBA-play goes, Shaq definitely has (current) bragging rights over Lillard. Shaq is already in residence at the NBA Hall of Fame, along with four NBA championships. Stil, this year the Western Conference is wide open, and maybe – just maybe – Lillard and the Blazers can make some noise and get back to the Western Conference Finals.