Posted by Everyone who listens to J. Cole’s music knows he loves the NBA.
Many players from the world’s most popular basketball league reciprocated their adoration for the ex-Forest Hill Drive resident’s latest album The Off-Season dropped Friday (May 14).
NBA All-Stars including Damian Lillard, Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell and a multitude of other players raved about their favorite songs, lyrics and the 12-track LP’s wide range of beats on Twitter late Thursday night into early Friday morning local time.
Some of J. Cole’s bars in the album contain references to former league Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook and Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant. Also, in the track “punchin’.the.clock,” Cole sampled a soundbite from Lillard’s postgame interview following his 61-point performance against the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA bubble on Aug 11, 2020.
“On my second listen of [J. Cole’s] new album,” Portland Trailblazers guard CJ McCollum said with a fire emoji before noting the album’s executive producing including his All-NBA teammate.
“Straight through. No skips. Album of the year. My favorite artist came back with a bang and he sampled sub zero [Damian Lillard]. Legendary.”
Lillard responded to McCollum’s tweet beginning with a 100 emoji: “Cole a real one … album (two fire emojis).”
? Cole a real one… album ?? https://t.co/4ZBEfFVZtG
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) May 14, 2021
Here are additional reactions from other players including Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, Cole’s friend and Detroit Pistons guard Dennis Smith Jr., Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap and more.
Bruh the dame sound bite is OD!!!
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 14, 2021
" ja morant i'm on my grizzly " heard you @JColeNC ??
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) May 14, 2021
“If I’m bettin on myself then I completely double down”
Heard You Cole?— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) May 14, 2021
95. South
— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) May 14, 2021
“B***h it’s a difference!!” I felt that one Cole ???
— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) May 14, 2021
Cole World
— RJ (@RjHampton14) May 14, 2021
95 south ??…. Cole World
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 14, 2021
Coooooooole World!!!! ?????
— Andre Roberson (@FlyDre21) May 14, 2021
applying.pressure
— Jordan Clarkson (@JordanClarksons) May 14, 2021
That MBJ bar was spicy… Cole we listening my boy
— Gary Clark (@Gary11_Clark) May 14, 2021
Thank you Cole ‼️???
— Troy Brown Jr (@Troy_Brown33) May 14, 2021
Cole World ???
— Langston Galloway (@LangGalloway10) May 14, 2021
Man said “Hey Yahweh” mans using his real name? He on one.
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) May 14, 2021
Cole broke Spotify ??
— Eric Paschall (@epaschall) May 14, 2021
The final among the string of NBA players’ tweets above is from Golden State Warriors forward Eric Paschall laughing about how Spotify users’ high demand for J. Cole’s The Off-Season caused the streaming site to briefly crash upon its release.
Detroit Pistons Invite J. Cole To Tryout For The Team
J. Cole is embarking on his own pro basketball career beginning this Sunday when he’s expected to suit up for Rwanda Patriots B.B.C. against Nigeria River Hoopers in the Basketball African League.