Drake Absent as LeBron James Celebrates Vince Carter's Legacy

Drake unfollowed LeBron in recent times after the highly publicized Kendrick Lamar beef.

In his remarkable 22nd NBA season, LeBron James continues to draw massive crowds, especially for his once-a-year games in Toronto as part of the Los Angeles Lakers. Friday night’s game against the Raptors was no exception, with a sold-out crowd at Scotiabank Arena, many fans donning James’ iconic gold and purple jerseys—either No. 6 or No. 23, which he’s worn over his six seasons with the Lakers.

The crowd reacted to every moment, from groaning at his missed breakaway dunk to roaring as he scored each of his 27 points, leading the Lakers to a thrilling 131-125 victory over the Raptors. However, the evening held an added layer of excitement as fans anticipated the upcoming retirement ceremony for Vince Carter’s No. 15 jersey, set for Saturday.

LeBron on Raptors retiring Vince Carter’s jersey: “It makes all the sense in the world, with what he’s done for this franchise, the impact that he had in this community, the way he changed how basketball is looked at in Canada… Well deserved.” pic.twitter.com/p15HpUxkVL

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) November 2, 2024

After the game, James shared his admiration for Carter, affectionately known as “Vinsanity,” who left an indelible mark on Canadian basketball. “Congratulations to Vinsanity, rightfully so,” James said. “What he did for this franchise, the community impact, and how he transformed basketball in Canada, especially in Toronto, is huge. It’s a well-deserved honor.”

Reflecting on Carter’s career, James recalled some iconic moments from Carter’s time with the Raptors. He highlighted Carter’s unforgettable 50-point game against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2000-01 playoffs, his famous two-handed windmill dunk against Indiana, and the memorable alley-oop in a preseason game at the University of North Carolina. James also brought up Carter’s legendary performance in the 2000 Dunk Contest, where Carter ended the show with his “it’s over” gesture, forever etching his name in NBA lore. “There’s too many to count, honestly,” James said, honoring Carter’s unforgettable impact on the game.

LEBRONTO WINS IN TORONTO

While James himself has often been a thorn in Toronto’s side—earning the nickname “LeBronto” after several dominant playoff performances against the Raptors in the mid-2010s—he’s also become a fan favorite on his visits. Before the game, James playfully embraced his nickname, walking into the arena wearing a Ghostface mask from the Scream movies and later sharing the look on Instagram with the caption, “LIVE from LeBronto.”

Though James last visited Toronto in April when the Lakers won 128-111, this season’s appearance will be his last until the 2025-26 season. For Raptors fans, it was a bittersweet reminder of his impact on the game and his once fierce rivalry with their team, as well as a fitting tribute to Carter, one of Canada’s most beloved basketball icons.

DRAKE AND LEBRON JAMES RELATIONSHIP

The two pop culture icons in 2022 according to the Financial Times, teamed up with Yankee Global Enterprises and Los Angeles-based investment firm Main Street Advisors to become minority shareholders in Italian football club AC Milan.

Things between LeBron and Drake took a turn when King James took sides in the rap beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drizzy. The Toronto rapper ended up unfollowing LeBron on social media due to the rift.