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The Detroit Pistons Starting Lineup… If they were Rappers

By Brendan Triola

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 3: Andre Drummond #0 and Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons look on prior to the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 3, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 3: Andre Drummond #0 and Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons look on prior to the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 3, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 18: Rapper, Eminem attends the Charlotte Hornets game against the Detroit Pistons at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on October 18, 2017. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 18: Rapper, Eminem attends the Charlotte Hornets game against the Detroit Pistons at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on October 18, 2017. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /

PF – Blake Griffin – Eminem

Look, there is no denying that Eminem is one of the best lyricists (and best rappers) of All-Time. Taking on the alter-ego of Slim Shady, Em changed the game with his fun, creative, and somewhat insane style of rapping combined with his word play.

Similarly, after injuries derailed the career of Blake Griffin, he had to change his game. His old style of play, while flashy and fun, was not sustainable. He wouldn’t be in 20’s forever, and neither would Eminem.

Related Story. Blake Griffin highlights disparity in market-sized attitudes. light

The same way that Griffin morphed into a legitimate 3-point shooting point-forward, Eminem went on the same career trajectory, maturing into an artist that now rapped about addiction, rehabilitation, and actually motivated the listener.

It is hard to argue against the idea that at 30 years old, Griffin is at his peak. The same was said about Eminem when he released “Relapse” and “Recovery”, his step back into the rap game after battling his own addictions.

The inevitable fall of Griffin has yet to be seen, but sadly the same can’t be said about Eminem. Neither “Revival” or “Kamikaze” lived up to expectations, as they were filled with dull topics, awful production, and some of the corniest lyrics imaginable.

It left me wishing Eminem had just gone out on top, and retired a decade ago. I don’t anticipate as big of a drop off for the Pistons forward, but it remains to be seen how much Griffin will have left in the tank by 2022, when he’s owed $38m.

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