The intersection between the world of rap and professional sports showed its face with the passing of Nipsey Hussle. Many pro athletes joined their musical counterparts in expressing deep grief over Hussle's killing. However, like rappers that shared a landscape with Hussle, Nipsey's death hit differently for players from Los Angeles. The intense sorrow that's sweeping Los Angelians was on full display when retired NBA All-Star Baron Davis fought back tears while eloquently eulogizing the hometown hero.
On Tuesday night's installment, the cast of TNT's Players Only took time away from their usual jovial banter to speak honestly and candidly about Nipsey Hussle. Although co-hosts Shaquille O'Neal and Candace Parker are Los Angeles sports legends who could undoubtedly speak to Hussle's impact on the city, the cast wisely deferred to Los Angeles native Baron Davis to touch on what Nipsey meant to his city.
"Growing up in LA, there are incredible people, but angels only come so often," Davis began. The former-UCLA standout then went on to explain that by having roots close to where Nipsey spent his youth, Davis was afforded the opportunity to see Hussle's transformation as a man and artist.
"We watched him grow up through the struggle that we all grew up in," Davis said. "But as a young man, he was sharp. As an adult, he became responsible. As a father and a husband, he became a leader and our leader in LA."
"So when you see Russ, DeMarr, Kawhi, Trevor Ariza, James Harden, honoring this man, it's because he led by example," Davis continued in a voice audibly heavy with emotion. "Lot of us come up in the 2pac generation and 2pac talked about all the things he wanted to do in the community. Nipsey Hussle did it. Nipsey Hussle was there."
Of these tributes that Davis referenced, the biggest came from the elite point guard and Los Angeles-native Russell Westbrook. Just moments before Davis' monologue, Russ closed out a Thunder victory by ripped down his 20th rebound. Doing so gave Westbrook 20 point, 20 rebounds, and 21 assists making him the second player in NBA history to record a the fabled 20/20/20 triple-double. As Russ dribbled past the scoring table he let it be known that this accomplishment was in honor of his fellow-Los Angelian and neighborhood friend Nipsey Hussle.
"That wasn't for me. That was for my bro. That was for Nipsey," Westbrook said to Players Only's Jason Terry. "20 plus 20 plus 20. They know what that means."
