With the Toronto Raptors making it through to their first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history, the presence (and enthusiasm) of Drake has been increasing exponentially. If you’re a Raptors fan, that’s probably very understandable. But if you’re the NBA, it’s apparently a big problem.
[jwplayer ph2uligS]
Drake is a regular fixture at Raptors home games, having a permanent courtside seat at Scotiabank Arena. And throughout this year’s Playoffs his antics have become increasingly noticeable, to the point where it’s starting to draw the ire of the league.
During the Eastern Conference Finals against Milwaukee, Drake spent very little time with ass in seat, preferring instead to roam the court sidelines like a maniac, and at one point crossing something of a line by rubbing the shoulders of Raptors head coach Nick Nurse.
Drake giving Nick Nurse a quick neck massage😂pic.twitter.com/R3prXWtV1t
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 22, 2019
Bucks officials didn’t take too kindly to that, and neither did the NBA apparently, who have stepped in in a bid to keep Drake in line during the upcoming Finals.
ESPN reports that league boss Adam Silver spoke to Raptors officials about Drake’s behaviour following the shoulder-rubbing incident, likely reminding them that the playoffs are no excuse to get lax on the franchise’s fan policies.
This isn’t the first time Drake’s been reprimanded by NBA officials: during last year’s playoff series between the Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Drake was slapped with an official league warning after getting into a heated confrontation with then-Cavs centre Kendrick Perkins.
Drake was also punished in 2014 after giving Kevin Durant a shout out while on-stage at OVO Fest in Toronto, stating “I just want him to see what would happen if he came to play in Toronto.” The league judged that to be tampering, and hit the Raptors with a $25,000 fine.
Technically speaking, the league has more scope to punish Drake than any other ordinary fan given he’s kind-of an employee of the Raptors.
Either way, Golden State and Klay Thompson in particular don’t see too fazed about it.
“Do I like him as a Raptor fan? No.” 😅
Klay on Drake before Game 1 in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/vTUqLarMxX
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 29, 2019
It’s gonna be a red-hot Finals, I tell you what.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals goes down in Toronto tomorrow morning at 11:00am AEST.
