If you’re reading this, Drake, Fred VanVleet is hoping it’s not too late.
Following a viral exchange of words between DeMar DeRozan and rapper Drake, former Raptor VanVleet is hoping the two parties can make up for the sake of the city.
In the most recent episode of The Draymond Green Show on Thursday, VanVleet talked about the deteriorating relationship between the two and the importance of both figures to basketball in Toronto.
“I hate to see it, man, I hate to see it,” VanVleet said. “Obviously, DeMar is someone that I’ve grown close to, somewhat like a big brother to me. Drake, you know, I consider a friend, someone that I got a lot of love and respect for. So, I hate to see it between those two.”
The two made headlines last week Saturday when DeRozan’s Sacramento Kings rolled into Toronto on the night of Vince Carter’s jersey retirement. During the game, Drake made a guest appearance on the broadcast and didn’t show an ounce of fake love, making it clear that if DeRozan got his number retired to the rafters, Drake would go up there and take it down himself.
After the game, DeRozan was asked about the comments but felt no ways about it, dismissing the remarks as child’s play and saying that if he wants to get them down, it’s “a long way to climb.”
Though it’s not entirely clear where the origin of the beef stems from, it’s believed it either began or was brought into the limelight when DeRozan appeared in the music video for Kendrick Lamar’s hit song Not Like Us, a diss track aimed at Drake.
The former Raptors superstar also appeared at a now-viral Kendrick Lamar concert, going so far as to dance on stage with the rapper while he performed the Drake diss four times in a row.
“Obviously, they’ve got their own personal relationship and that went however it went, went a lot of different ways,” VanVleet said. “I hope they figure it out. I hope it’s nothing crazy, nothing serious. I just hope everybody can figure it out. I don’t like to see that.”
To add fuel to the fire, Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé made an appearance at Wednesday’s game as his team hosted the Raptors, and sported a sweater that said “They Not Like Us” on it, firing shots back at Drake.
For what it’s worth, VanVleet made it clear he believes DeRozan’s jersey should be retired by the Raptors.
“I think it should,” VanVleet said. “When you look at what he did, especially when you want to give the history of the franchise, what Vince and all those guys meant at the beginning. … We saw the impact that Vince had and we saw it again with DeMar.
“He didn’t lead the team to the title, but ultimately he built that foundation.”
Will VanVleet’s words get through to the two figures? So far, ain’t no tellin’.
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