Kings owner takes side in DeMar DeRozan-Drake feud

Nov 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan during warm ups before action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive is backing DeMar DeRozan in DeRozan’s miniature feud with Drake.

Ranadive was in attendance for Wednesday’s 122-107 win over the Toronto Raptors, but his choice of shirt attracted the most attention. The Kings owner sat courtside wearing a shirt that read “They Not Like Us” — a reference to a diss track directed at Drake by Kendrick Lamar.

Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive sitting courtside wearing a "they not like us" t-shirt against Drake's Toronto Raptors. pic.twitter.com/2lOaliKEmH

— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) November 7, 2024

This traces back to comments Drake made about the prospect of the Raptors retiring DeRozan’s number. The rapper said he would “go up there and pull it down” if DeRozan’s number was retired by Toronto, prompting DeRozan to joke that Drake would “have a long way to climb” if he tried. Ranadive is clearly taking DeRozan’s side here.

DeRozan joined the Kings in July and has gotten off to a hot start by averaging 25.6 points per game. He must like that his owner has his back.