[ANALOGY] - If Rap Was Basketball...

… mainstream hip hop would be the AND1 Mixtapes

Don’t get me wrong, its really fun to watch the AND1 Mixtape series. Before I really got into basketball and followed our disappointing Toronto team, I would watch the players from the AND1 Mixtape Tour (AMT) with wonder and amazement. These guys, like the Globetrotters before them, focused on entertaining the crowd and putting on a performance rather than bringing home titles. Players with superhero-like names would travel around the country compete against local talent and make them look silly by showing off there dunking and dribbling abilities.

People who actually played ball knew exactly why these guys never made it into the NBA. Basketball is a sport with various techniques and intricacies, most of which don’t involve breaking someone’s ankles. Even if players have great technical skill they don’t need to show it to entertain the crowd, and in fact, some AMT fans get turned off by people just draining 3’s when they could be executing high flying dunks. 

There is, however, a place where fans can watch highly skilled players use there wit and finely tuned technical abilities to defeat opponents. This place is the NBA, where flashy moves are of little importance. The league is organized, games are scheduled, and players show up to win.  

With that being said there is definitely a purpose for both types of basketball. I wouldn’t go to see Hot Sauce and expect him to play defense. Similarly, a true fan would not like to see his favorite player risk a win to entertain the crowd with some flashy moves.

Basketball is a science which takes many years to perfect if one were to compete professionally. And you can only really appreciate this multifaceted game if you play basketball yourself.

Now lets say we live in an alternate universe where:

• Out of all the people who watch both types of basketball, only a small percentage watch the NBA, to the point where the NBA rarely gets any network coverage, if any.

• There exists a strong correlation between fans who play basketball themselves and those that watch the NBA. The reverse correlation, however, is not as strong. 

• There have been cases where AMT players have been caught with performance enhancing drugs such as Ghostwriting and the ever popular drug of choice for most athletes in all sports, Autotune. The fans of the AMT know that these drugs are used and don’t really care as long as they are entertained. The NBA on the other hand, has a strict zero tolerance policy for performance enhancing drugs.

• NBA fans say AMT fans don’t know what “real basketball” is and all AMT games are garbage. They also point out that the NBA would be more popular if they got the same network coverage as the AMT.

• AMT fans say NBA fans get too technical and don’t know how to have fun with sports. Besides, just by looking at the numbers of fans in each it’s obvious which league most fans would rather watch. 

• Most fans are unaware that there are, in fact, two different leagues. This is the very reason why there is so much animosity between the two.

A Few Players of the Sport:


Lil Wayne (AMT)

• One of the most famous members of the AMT
• Almost unanimously considered “the death of basketball” by NBA fans 
• If his last season was any indication of this coming one, it's sure to be extremely successful.

Nas (NBA)

• One of the youngest to enter the NBA and is still playing 17 years in
• First season in the NBA considered by many NBA fans to be one of greatest seasons ever played by anyone, let alone a rookie
• Had a few rough seasons, some say because of management, and never came back to first season form
• A few preseason games played this summer leave fans optimistic that this will be one his best seasons since his rookie year

 
Lupe Fiasco (NBA)

• Been in the league a few years but stayed relatively under the radar
• Fans of Lupe believe without a doubt he can take on any other player 1 on 1
• Brings a lot of creativity to game
• Well versed in the fundamentals of the game while often experimenting with different styles of play
• A big fan of sports in general and often can be seen experimenting with different kinds
• Last season he played for the AMT instead in order to reach a larger audience
• Playing in the NBA this year and promised to be back to rare form. Fans think it might be his best season to date.

 
Blu (NBA)

• Apart from his highly regarded rookie season, and a few preseasons, has only played a few actual games.
• A great example of natural talent, does amazing things without seeming like he’s trying too hard
• Lupe says Blu’s the only one he thinks he cannot beat 1 on 1
• NBA fans are very excited that he's finally playing this season

 
Kanye West (AMT)

• Probably the most easily recognized player in all of sports
• Known for his famous games and infamous shenanigans
• Very good point guard but often plays other positions too
• Known for the creativity he brings to the league
• Recently played a full season with all-star AMT veteran, Jay-Z, which turned out to be very successful

 
Tonedeff (NBA)

• Amazing dribbler and at one point held the record for the fastest dribbling in a game
• A player-coach who can also play different positions, but has focused more on coaching for the last 5 years
• Extremely sound fundamentals
• Doesn’t watch basketball that much but a big fan of sports in general
• Can often be seen playing various sports
• Has a lot of chemistry when he plays with his star player Kno, who is considered one of the top point guards in the league.
• Fans are eagerly await the new season where both Tone and Kno are playing together for the first time

 
J Cole (Both)

• Had some phenomenal preseason games but still yet to play an actual season
• Apart from being very talented in the small forward position, he's also a decent point guard, something that's rarely seen in basketball let alone the AMT
• Shows some flashy moves like an AMT player while still being very well versed in the fundamentals like an NBA player
• Fans of both leagues await his highly anticipated start this season