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BIG3 founder and legendary rapper Ice Cube called out NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for not helping promote his league. The former N.W.A. member is happy about the BIG3's growth over the past seven years since it started, but would have loved some support from the NBA.
In an appearance on "The OGs" podcast with Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, Ice Cube discussed a variety of topics. When the BIG3 was brought up, the "True to the Game" artist admitted that he's still baffled by Silver's reluctance to form a partnership since they're not competitors. (Start at 25:16)
"It's been challenging but it's been rewarding too because we know nobody has helped us get to this point/ They can't really discredit what we've accomplished. We have changed the game for the better. We think it's silly and when you really look at it, most of the NBA loves us. The players love us, the coaches love us, GMS love us, owners love us.
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He added:
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"NBA fans love us. We just got a problem with the brass. Adam Silver, Mark Tatum them guys feel threatened. We could have worked together all these years and we wouldn't have made a move without their blessing."
It's not the first time Ice Cube has been critical of Adam Silver and the NBA for not supporting the growth of BIG3. It has been a platform for former and retired NBA players to remain active. Some younger players are likely using the league to get more exposure and possibly get back to the league.
Some legends who are part of the BIG3 include Clyde Drexler, Julius Erving, Rick Barry, Gary Payton, George Gervin and Lisa Leslie. Teams are composed of players with NBA experience, as well as other professional pro players.
Ice Cube once accused Adam Silver of encouraging sponsors to not support the BIG3
In an appearance on "The Joe Rogan Experience" last year and as a part of his "F*ck The Gatekeepers" podcast tour, Ice Cube accused Adam Silver of preventing the BIG3's growth.
"I'm not trying to compete in any way shape or form with the NBA. We are very complementary. So, I don't understand why they would do some of the things that's being done behind the scenes. Encouraging people to not sponsor us, encouraging networks not to play us. We've been able to survive, but at a certain point, it’s just redundant and ridiculous. We got to fight back in some way, shape or form," Cube said.
The BIG3 is entering its eighth season and it now has 12 teams battling for the championship. The campaign already started earlier this week in Oakland and will tour cities such as Tampa, Baltimore, Newark, Anaheim, Portland, Cincinnati, San Antonio, Nashville and Boston.
