Drake is not happy with former Toronto Raptors star DeMar DeRozan, and he made that clear during Saturday night’s game between the Raptors and the Sacramento Kings. DeRozan, who now plays for the Kings, appeared in the music video for Kendrick Lamar’s song “They Not Like Us” over the summer—a track that many fans have interpreted as a diss aimed at Drake.
Despite the appearance in Kendrick’s video, DeRozan insisted that his friendship with Drake was still intact.
“Drake’s still my man, still my man, none of it changed,” DeRozan said when asked about the video. “It’s so easy to get overlooked and look at it for what it looks like, but at the end of the day it’s music, entertainment. Two of the biggest rappers in the world went at it from a competitive standpoint and they battled it out. That’s what you want to see as a fan: Kobe (Bryant) playing (Michael) Jordan 1-on-1 and see who wins, see the trash talking, and whoever wins out of that, you’re still going to have the debate, so that’s all that is.”
On Saturday night, when DeRozan returned to Toronto to face off against his former team, Drake was sitting courtside at Scotiabank Arena to watch.
The atmosphere was charged, and fans were eager to see the interaction between the former Raptors legend and the team’s most famous fan.
During the game, Drake was visibly animated, staring down DeRozan from his courtside seat and even cursing at him as the game progressed. It was a heated exchange, and Drake seemed intent on making his feelings known.
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Drake’s displeasure didn’t end there. Later in the game, he joined the Raptors’ broadcast team, and he didn’t hold back when discussing DeRozan’s legacy in Toronto. The rapper made it clear that he wasn’t ready to celebrate DeRozan’s contributions to the franchise, despite DeRozan’s long history with the team and his status as one of the best players in Raptors history.
“If you ever put up a DeRozan banner, I’ll go up there and pull it down myself,” Drake said during the broadcast, sending a clear message about where he stands.
When asked about Drake’s comments after the game, DeRozan remained composed. He acknowledged the competitive nature of their interaction but didn’t seem interested in escalating the situation. Instead, DeRozan focused on the bigger picture, reiterating his love for Toronto and his appreciation for the fans who have supported him throughout his career.
The situation between Drake and DeRozan is complicated, reflecting both their long-standing friendship and the competitive tensions that can arise when loyalties are tested. DeRozan spent nine seasons with the Raptors, becoming the face of the franchise and leading them to multiple playoff appearances.
His departure to the San Antonio Spurs in 2018 as part of the trade that brought Kawhi Leonard to Toronto was emotional for both the player and the fans, and his contributions to the Raptors’ success have not been forgotten.
Drake, as the Raptors’ global ambassador, has always been vocal about his support for the team and its players.
His reaction to DeRozan’s appearance in Kendrick Lamar’s video suggests that he felt a sense of betrayal, even if DeRozan insists that it was just entertainment. For Drake, loyalty to Toronto runs deep, and any perceived slight against the city or the team is taken personally.
While the courtside exchange and Drake’s comments may have added drama to Saturday’s game, it’s clear that the bond between Drake and DeRozan is more nuanced than a simple friendship or rivalry. DeRozan’s contributions to the Raptors cannot be erased, and for many fans, he will always be remembered as one of the players who helped elevate the team to new heights.
As the season continues, it will be interesting to see if Drake and DeRozan can move past this tension and repair their relationship.
For now, the rivalry adds another layer of intrigue to DeRozan’s return to Toronto, reminding everyone that in sports—and in music—emotions can run high, but the respect for what has been accomplished often endures.
