On Track: Songs that tell NBA players’ stories

Jun 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry holds the the Larry O
Jun 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry holds the the Larry O

What’s up everyone! With the team building portion of the off-season all but finished, On Track takes a look at which songs tell the stories of some key NBA players going into the season.

Stephen CurryBack to Back, Drake

Jun 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry holds the the Larry O
Jun 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry holds the the Larry O

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/216846955″]

Stephen Curry and Drake have occupied the same space in my physche for quite some time. Maybe it’s because both have that baby-faced swag. Or maybe it’s because Drake’s fire line “I been Steph Curry with the shot/Been cookin’ with the sauce, Chef Curry with the pot boy/360 with the wrist boy” on 0 to 100. In his Meek Mill dis track, Drake talks about going back to back with so much effortless swagger–the same effortless swagger and shooting stroke that Curry plays with–that making it Curry’s theme song is a no brainer. The Golden State Warriors, after all, are looking to go baaaaaack to back.

DeMarcus Cousins/George KarlBad Blood, Taylor Swift

April 5, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Sleep Train Arena. The Jazz defeated the Kings 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 5, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Sleep Train Arena. The Jazz defeated the Kings 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Awkward hand shakes aside, there is certainly some bad blood between Sacramento Kings star DeMarcus Cousins and new head coach George Karl. Karl waltzed into Sac, upon being hired, and announced that everyone was tradeable. All Cousins wants is to feel special. To feel wanted. Maybe even understood, if not tolerated. Karl, seemingly without precipitation, had it out for Boogie from the get go. He made a really deep cut, and, baby, now we got bad blood. (Hey!)

LeBron James – Bitch Better Have My Money, Rihanna

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) talks to the media after game six of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) talks to the media after game six of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

It’s easy to forget, but LeBron James was a free agent this summer. And, again, he signed a one-year deal. LeBron signing these one-year deals is genius, it puts organizations on their toes. Never again will he let a franchise repeatedly screw up and get stuck on a team where his best running mate is Mo Williams. No, LeBron is doing what he can to stay in control. He calls the shots shots shots. Just make sure you have his money.

Wesley Matthews – Alright, Kendrick Lamar

Feb 7, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews (2) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Trail Blazers 111-101 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews (2) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Trail Blazers 111-101 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Wesley Matthews had everything going for him. He was on an uber competitive and exciting team, had one-and-a-half great seasons and was on the brink of signing a fat contract. Then, all of a sudden, he tore his Achilles tendon. Fan favorites like Matthews don’t come along often. Gritty, rugged, talented, exciting, productive. Fighting all his life. But league favorites? They come along even less so. Matthews was a favorite of NBA fans and a darling of the blogosphere. His Achilles tear was felt around the league. But, here comes the Mavericks, willing to give Wes the contract he so clearly at one point deserved. He vowed he would come back and be “better than ever.” If you believe good things happen to good people, well, he gon’ be alright.