The Washington Wizards are relevant in the basketball world for the first time in nearly a decade, and now seem prepared to make a crossover into hip-hop culture. The franchise hired D.C.-based rapper Wale to be their "creative liaison" last season, and he discussed his plans for the franchise in an interview with ESPN the Magazine.
"I want to be a shot in the arm to DC basketball. My job is to provide a spark, at all costs. I'm not going to do anything corny, but I'm talking to Kanye about designing new uniforms. I want to see the phone booth rocking every time I come here. I want to create the 'Lake Show,' create what the Bulls had. I want to take the personality of our stars -- John, Otto, Marcin -- and create what Kemp and Payton had, what LeBron and D-Wade had. That's the vibe I want."
Look, I can remember that fuzzy reception on Fox 45 watching Calbert Cheaney and Chris Whitney and those teams lose to the Phoenix Suns by 15, 20. But now? Now we have a team to be proud of. And even if you're coming to a game for the wrong reasons, like trying to win a pair of shoes or something, I want you into it. We want to sell this place out.
The most interesting part of what Wale said has do with him and Kanye West designing new uniforms for the team, which will probably be an alternate for their current set. This wouldn't be the first time a rapper has designed new uniforms for the team - Jay-Z designed and branded the Nets' move to Brooklyn, and Diddy designed the Mavs' green uniforms from the mid-2000's.
Washington currently has the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and are one of the favorites to advance to the NBA Finals.
Follow our Washington Wizards team page for the latest Wizards news and rumors!
Back to the Washington Wizards Newsfeed