Sports

Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson really likes Drake's new album

by Tyler Munro

Drake’s early success can be attributed to his hard work, sure, but getting in with the NBA certainly didn’t help. When Lebron James, stilla Cleveland Cavalier, was seen rapping along full speed to “Forever,” Drake solidified himself to a cadre of sportsmen. Since then, he’s regularly hosted NBAers at OVO Fest in Toronto and even organized his own charity tournaments. Detroit Piston point guard Brandon Jennings is one of his biggest supporters, but Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson’s taken his support to the next level.

Yesterday, on the release of Drake’s Nothing Was the Same, Amir posted a few choice photos to Instagram. It seems he went to Toronto’s busy Yonge + Dundas Square, a place it can’t be easy to blend as a tatted up six-foot-eleven, and bought up every copy he could. Johnson went to Future Shop and cleared the shelves of Nothing Was the Same. Then he went a few step south and did the same at HMV.

At first glance, this seems a little shitty. How were fans supposed to get a copy if Amir’s gone and grabbed them all? Then he posted another picture—fans didn’t need to buy a copy, because Amir was handing them out outside. In turn, he’s supported his buddy Drake, his adoptive city Toronto and a fan base that’s already enamored with the guy. Johnson is set to make more than $6 million this season, so it wasn’t the biggest financial investment, but braving busy crowds to be with his fans? That’s what’s made Johnson a fan favourite in Toronto.

As for Brandon Jennings, he celebrated Drizzy’s big release by getting punched in the face by rapper the Game. Okay, so it had nothing to do with Drake, since it happened on Jennings’ birthday at the club over a microphone tussle, but we thought we’d share it nonetheless.