Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
According to New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert, fellow teammate Carmelo Anthony is the “king of New York” — and not West Coast rapper Kendrick Lamar, who boldly declared himself the top-dog of the Big Apple in his verse on Detroit MC Big Sean’s song “Control” also featuring up-and-coming rapper Jay Electronica.
Like many New York rappers in response, Shumpert released a song addressed to Lamar that he entitled “Dear Kendrick” — which not only showcased his lyrical talents, but also quieted the claims made by the rapper out of Compton, Calif.
Toward the end of the nearly three-minute track, Shumpert says — ”And he [Anthony] say as a Knick, don’t let you [Lamar] say that you the king of New York, since 007 (a reference to Anthony’s jersey number) don’t play that / That’s the big homie (in reference to Anthony being the king of New York)…” — which in all accounts solidifies Shumpert’s stance that Melo (and not Lamar) is indeed the king of New York.
An act of support like this from one teammate to another only further unifies the Knicks as they set forth on another (potentially) promising NBA championship campaign this coming season.
Shumpert taking up the mic on Melo’s behalf shows the Knicks unity as a team on the court, but even more so as brothers-in-arm prepared to confront an obstacle in their path — together.
If Shump is willing to go to this length to have Melo’s back off the court, there is no doubt that he will be there for Melo on the court, as well as the rest of his team.
Toward the beginning of the track, Shump says to Lamar, “Wishing they had a seat by the bench just to catch a glimpse of us/See Swish (in reference to J.R. Smith) step back and me catch a gripping to you/See Melo 3 to the temple them/See, that’s the difference I see it from both perspectives.”
If that’s not a testament to the Knicks current wholeness, then I don’t know what is.
