Image via Complex Original
Lil B had the sports and music world buzzing last week when he announced his plans to tryout for the Golden State Warriors. A rapper turned NBA player? Quite rare. But his tryout for the Warriors is just one of Lil B's many based sports moments. The Bay Area native has had a slew of sports references in his lyrics, a few ties to funny sports moments in his "Thank You Based God" meme, several athletes cooking, and he has even challenged three-time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant to a game of one-on-one. So, as we all wish Lil B the best in his tryout this month, check out The Most Based Moments in Sports History.
20. Lil B "Chasing the Rain" (Remix)
Date: 6/29/2012
Lil B wasn't heading to the Olympics in Summer 2012 but he trained as if he were. In the "Chasing the Rain" (remix) video you can see Lil B get his Rocky on as he runs stairs and reflects on his criminal past. Quite inspirational.
19. New Mexico Loves Lil B
Date: 3/10/2012
In this clip, two New Mexico basketball players celebrate their 2012 Mountain West championship by cooking. Lil B's cooking dance has reached all over, spanning across several sports at both the amateur and professional levels.
18. Lil B Calls Out Tim Tebow
Date: 3/26/2012
Was Based God behind all of Tebow's fourth quarter miracles in 2011? We have no clue but it seems like Lil B feels he played a part. In the week following Tim Tebow's signing with the Jets, Lil B tweeted that the back-up QB owes him. Who knows what that could possible be but our guess is it has something to do with the famous virgin letting Based God fuck his bitches.
17. Michael Jordan Rap Reference on "Pretty Boy"
Date: 2009
In one of our favorite Michael Jordan rap references, Lil B pays homage to the G.O.A.T. with the simple line: "I'm Michael Jordan, my bitches so excited." Pretty basic at first glance but when you consider the other figures Based God has claimed to be (Jesus, Barack Obama, and Miley Cyrus) it's quite the statement.
16. Amar'e Stoudemire and Baron Davis Cook
Date: 4/26/2012
Amar'e and Baron both had pretty mediocre seasons last year, but that didn't stop them from over-celebrating Amare's facial over the Charlotte Bobcats' Tyrus Thomas. While it was a pretty good dunk, it was the Charlotte Bobcats. Shitting on the Bobcats? Not that rare but still pretty based.
15. How Based God Changed LeGarrette Blount's Life
Date: 9/25/2011
During his college career, LeGarrette Blount became infamous for rocking the jaw of Boise State player Byron Hount after the Ducks lost to the Broncos. He was subsequently suspended for the violent act. Now, although Lil B frequently speaks of smashing other people's girl and living a life of crime before blowing up as a rapper, much of his work preaches a message of positivity. We'd like to think Blount's success (like this game-winning TD against the Colts on MNF) and the absence of any new violent outbursts is evidence of another life changed by Based God. Sidebar: We know this has no audio but we figured you'd rather watch the play in silence than listen to this dude. SMH, YouTube uploaders are the worst. STFU already, will ya?
14. Schools Young'ns In Fresh Kicks
Date: 8/24/2011
Those who follow Lil B know that he said he'd keep wearing the beat-up pair of Vans till he made a $1 million. So, when he appeared on this episode of Living Gonzo rocking new K-Swiss joints while playing hoops, it only could mean one thing: Based God is ballin' in every sense of the word.
13. Hall of Fame Cooking with Prime Time
Date: 8/21/2010
Prime's cooking comes off as somewhat stiff and jerky but he is the only known Pro Hall of Famer to cook, so we have to give him props for that. This is just another one of the many badass moments for Deion. But, we must tell him that having kids cooking while unsupervised at home (especially your scantily-clad son and daughter) is quite reckless and dangerous.
12. Lil B Puts on For His City
Date: Trend
The Berkeley-native has never been afraid to let people know where the Based movement began. His most fresh way of displaying this are his Cal Bears tank tops. He can be seen rocking them in videos like "Rich Bitch," "Swag Jerry Rice" and "Charlie Sheen." This leaves many YouTube commenters asking where they can buy the tanks. Clearly, this means Lil B should be the 2013 commencement speaker at Cal.
11. Stevie Johnson Is Pretty Based
Date: 10/16/2011
Stevie Johnson's chef moves in this clip are one of the best renditions we've seen yet, especially since he added his own swag with the spinning of the football as he cooked. Word is he thanks Based God regularly for bouncing back from this epic fail earlier in his career.
10. Desmond Bishop Cooking After Sacking Matt Ryan
Date: 10/9/2011
Desmond Bishop hails from San Francisco and went to school at Cal, so it's only natural that he spread the word of Based God to the legions of Cheeseheads out in Wisconsin. After throwing Matt Ryan to the ground, Bishop quickly gets to cooking. From the enthusiasm alone, we have to say this must've been a four-star meal. Aaron Rodgers should take notes.
9. Team USA Player Cooks After Scoring Goal
Date: 3/29/2011
In the Under-20 CONCACAF tournament, Joe Gyau of team USA scored a goal and immediately started cooking. Sidebar: Peep his teammate doing the Bernie dance at the end. Our 2011 U-20 squad >>> 2011 U.S. Mens National Team just for the celebrations alone.
8. "Thank You Based God" Meme Photos
Date: Trend
One of the most entertaining memes on the Interwebs over the last two years have been related to the rapper. Tons of "Thank You Based God" photos have been created by fans, some of these images have also been sports-related. Bron Bron, T.O., and MJ can all be seen shedding tears while thanking him. Tiger Woods also expresses frustration at the idea of Lil B smashing all of his mistresses. No worries, Tiger. It's happened to all of us at some point or another.
7. Salute to Reggie Miller
Date: 11/25/2010
Reggie Miller is the second all-time three-point shooter in NBA history with 2,560 shots from deep made over 18 seasons. The five-time All-Star got snubbed by Hall of Fame voters in 2011 (though he was inducted this year). Lil B recognized Miller's greatness years before the Naismith voters did when he recorded this song. With this heartfelt track, Miller was propelled to a class of celebrities and public figures like Justin Bieber, Ellen DeGeneres, and Dr. Phil. #rare #legendary
6. "I Own Swag" Tribute
Date: 2/5/2012
Most viewers saw Lil B's "I Own Swag" video as simply a shot thrown at David Banner. However, the Based God is a little more deep than that. In this Lil B pays homage to Tucker Hacking, a 20-year-old from Walnut Creek, Calif. who died in a skating accident and frequented the skate park in the video. There is also a small feature of a newspaper that has the article of the skateboarder's death.
5. Gives Shine to Lesser-Known Pro Athletes
Date: Trend
It's simple for rappers to make lyrical references to sports icons like MJ or Iron Mike, but you have to be a bit of a sports head if you're shouting-out James Posey and Patrick Ramsey in your rhymes. Sidebar: If your girl looks like James Posey—as Lil B says—then you're definitely taking an L. #justsayin'
4. VCU Cooking After Advancing to the Sweet 16
Date: 3/20/2011
During 2011 March Madness, many analysts were trying to figure out how No. 11 seed Virginia Commonwealth made a magical run that took them all the way to the Final Four. One look at their locker room after defeating Purdue to advance to the Sweet 16 will tell you that it was all about camaraderie. And what better way to build that than becoming master chefs? Let those boys cook!
3. Tyvon Branch's Game-Sealing TD and Cooking Celebration
Date: 10/10/2010
Tyvon Branch is an East Coast native, who grew up in Syracuse and went to school at UConn. But spending a handful of seasons in The Bay has clearly had an influence on the young safety. This fumble recovery and touchdown to seal a victory for the Raiders over the Chargers is the first recorded video of any pro athlete cooking. Branch would later be rewarded for his pioneer moves with a shout-out from the Based God himself on "Swag Jerry Rice."
2. "Swag Jerry Rice" Video
Date: 8/11/2011
Jesus. Where do we begin? First you have the girls "playing" the Madden 2012—demo. Quite based. Then there's a slew of sports references. Derek Fisher, Gary Payton, Reggie Miller, Tyvon Branch, Ted DeBiase, Muggsy Bogues, and of course the legendary Jerry Rice. Let us not forget the visual elements to the video like the Fisher-Price basketball hoop and fresh Cal Bears tank top. How could Lil B associate himself with arguably the greatest NFL player of all-time? They're both Bay Area legends and real recognize real, fam.
1. KD Challege and NBA Aspirations
Date: 1/29/2011-Present
Your favorite rappers beef with fellow MCs, Based God challenges pro athletes in their own sports. Last year, Lil B took to Twitter to challenge scoring-champion Kevin Durant to a game of 21 and even put his career on the line. Durant accepted the challenge but the two have yet to play.
Then in August 2012 Lil B released the basketball inspired mixtape Based Jam with Lil B's mug replacing Michael Jordan on the cover. Lil B released a video for the track "Warm Ups" which highlights his basketball talents including his signature based layup and rare crossover.
Those who thought Lil B's love of the game would stop there were surprised to find out the rapper will be trying out for the Golden State Warriors this month. Is the NBA ready for Based God? We can only hope so.
