15 NBA players and their rapper counterparts

May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Recording artist Drake embraces Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) as they celebrate a 89-84 win over Indiana Pacers in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

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CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 01: Recording artist J. Cole watches a game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Maryland Terrapins on December 01, 2015 at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 89-81. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) /

9. Paul George and J. Cole

Just a couple of years ago he was the next big thing. Sure, you knew the power structure in place, but this guy had all the traits, and the platform, to make it big. If you were looking for the next great two-way NBA player in 2013, you would have pointed at Paul George. If you wanted to find the next great M.C. you tuned into J. Cole.

However, since then both have been leapfrogged by other players in the game. George, of course, had his fateful injury while training for the US National Team after making two-straight NBA All Star games and pushing LeBron James in the playoffs.

Cole, meanwhile, came out with Born Sinner in 2013 to mixed reviews after establishing himself with a string of mixtapes and his major 2011 debut Cole World: The Sideline Story.

They both had a chance to push their momentum to the peak but took a step back instead, in the process getting leap frogged by others. For George, it turned out to be Kawhi Leonard who would punish LeBron on his way to becoming arguably the best two-way player in the game.

For Cole, you could point to a number of rappers who have gotten closer to the throne, but he and Kendrick Lamar came up right around the same time. It was Lamar who was able to get better with every record since his mixtapes and one-upping himself with To Pimp A Butterfly after good kid m.A.A.d city. When Cole had all the traits to become a critic darling–smooth flow, distinct vulnerability, story-time lyrics–it was Lamar who rose to the top.

George has since gotten close to what he once was, especially after these playoffs in which he almost single-handedly led the Pacers to a first round win over the Raptors. Cole, meanwhile, was nominated for Best Rap Album for his 2014 drop 2014 Forest Hills Drive.

After some missteps, both literally and figuratively, these two probably won’t get back what was almost theirs, but they may get close.

Next: 8. Dwyane Wade