LeBron James’ most savage Game 2 moments against the Raptors as Jay-Z lyrics

When LeBron James destroyed the “culture reset” Raptors to the tune of 43 points, 14 assists, and eight rebounds in Game 2 on Thursday night, it reminded me of one of the best rap verses of this generation, off of Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3. It wasn’t the best album, but on the second verse of “Already Home”, Jay-Z, as James is doing to his would-be challengers in the East, reminded everyone just how great the distance is between him and his competitors.

“They want me to disappear like it’s gon’ shift for them

They say that I’m in the way, they want me to sit for them

But what they admitting is they ain’t got shit for him

And really the fact is, we not in the same bracket

Not in the same league, don’t shoot at the same baskets.”

Because of that verse, and James’ own relationship with Jay-Z, I’ve decided to match a few of the disrespectful things that James did to the Raptors in Game 2 to their appropriate Jay-Z lyrics.

This is downright rude and shows just how unbothered James was while scoring 15 points with six assists, four rebounds, and a steal in the third. His dominance even prompted play-by-play announcer Mark Jones to change the name of Toronto to “Lebronto” in his honor.

Lyrics: First verse of “Family Feud”.

“Hovi’s home, all these phonies come to a halt

All this old talk left me confused

You’d rather be old rich me or new you?”

These lyrics fit so well that there’s really no need for an explanation.

Drake has been exceptionally vocal in his role as team ambassador to the Raptors. Last game, he got into a shouting match with Kendrick Perkins and was warned by the NBA for it. He continued his antics in Game 2, and James was not amused to the point of turning his attention toward Drake as he bullied the rapper’s home team. The fact that James is close with Jay-Z, who Drake has an icy relationship with, makes the staredown so much sweeter.

Lyrics: Second verse of “I Got The Keys”.

“Y’all know the difference right

From rap facts and fiction, right?

Real life I’m like HOV, real life I’m life goals

In real life they’re like me? In real life I’m like, “No.”

My swag different, that bag different”

These lines were such an obvious diss and response to when Drake said, “I used to wanna be on Roc-A-Fella then I turned into Jay.” On top of that, I like to think the first two lines refer to articles that argued that these Raptors could stop James, which now look like bad fiction.

Not only did he treat C.J. Miles like a child, but James took the time afterwards to flex for the camera and let the watching audience know that Miles and the Raptors — as a team, staff, record label, and crew — had nothing for him. It’s an utterly perfect moment.

Lyrics: Second verse of “Imaginary Player”.

“When I see them in the street, I don’t see none of that

Damn playboy, where the fuck is the hummer at?

Where is all the ice with all the platinum under that?

Those ain’t Rolex diamonds, what the fuck you done to that?”

This is where Jay-Z called out every pretender for talking and behaving as if they were on his level. It’s a cool, but stern, dismissal of people who saw themselves as his competition, people he could only pity because he understood that their reputations were facades.

The jumper was basically a victory lap for James, and the mean mug an expression of his incredulity at those who question his greatness.

Lyrics: Intro to “Lyrical Exercise”.

“I’m the all time heavyweight champion of flow-ers

I’m leading the league in at least six statistical categories right now:

Best flow, most consistent, realest storiesMost charisma, I set the most trends

And my interviews are hotter! Holla!”

Could have easily went with the third verse of “What More Can I Say” when Jay-Z declares that, pound for pound, he is the best ever. But that’s to be saved in case James does the nearly impossible and takes down the Warriors. For now, we stick with these lines, which make a similar declaration but came on a bonus track on what was supposed to be a retirement album.

Lyrics: Only verse of “Friend or Foe”.

“You draw, better be Picasso — you know, the best

’Cause if this is not so, ah, God bless

You leave me no choice, I’ll leave you no voice

Believe you me, son

I hate to do it just as bad as you hate to see it done.”

Unless Dwane Casey is going to draw up a genius plan to stop James, as he did in 2011 — but this time for the more complete version James that has learned from his failures — it seems that this situation will only get worse for his Raptors.