Instagram/@icecube
Cube, going on all BIG3 and Stak, praised the man for the shaping of the league the way it is today. The hip-hop icon and basketball mogul recently set the record straight on social media when he gave credit to Stak for bringing in that no nonsense, “play with heart” attitude into the league from day one, as compared to what he referred to as “ego-licious” antics in the NBA. “Major respect to Stak for setting the bar. Established the tone to play with heart and honesty from Day 1. That’s the BIG3 way. No NBA All-Star bullshit here,” Cube said, tagging the official social media account of the league.
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The comment was accompanied by a clip of Cube talking of the early days in the BIG3, basically giving Stak credit for setting the bar in competitive spirit. “When I was playing, I can’t prepare. I’m game one to the end of the season,” Cube said in the clip. Then he gave the explanation of how Stak’s thinking of treating the court like a battlefield, “No friends out here; there’s only foes,” had become the foundation. “Stacks was like basically, you got no friends out here. So own your bullshit. We’re going to play this, and it really set the tone on playing the game the right way. Cube also said this wasn’t about money for me; it was about giving the players a real chance to compete again.”
Fans and followers started chiming in from all angles. One commenter clearly got fired up and went all caps on a chaotic freestyle that seemed like anything but a coherent reply. Another said, “It’s time to take BIG3 games back to the roots—local playgrounds where there are rusty rims and concrete courts. Let’s take it to the next level… Take the game to different local courts. 1st you’re bringing exposure to the kids. 2nd take it back to the milk crates, alleys, playground with the metal nets, lol. Basketball is basketball.” The very idea of developing a professional game inspired by streetball hit the right nerve.
Some just wanted to praise Cube. “Cube always opening doors, more than a hip-hop legend,” followed one comment. A wannabe big shot from Reno dreamed grand: “Reno is building a new arena in 2027. Hopefully, we’ll have a BIG3 team there by then.” Some admitted that they’ve been slacking on watching the games and promised that will change. “Mannn I gotta tune in. I be so busy, I can’t lie to y’all. Big big big blessings 4 laying the foundation.”
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Cube supported not just a throwback; it was a reminder of how BIG3 promotes itself differently. While the NBA is sometimes one giant show of superstar antics, the BIG3 has carved a niche of real, raw competition, a concept envisioned by Cube and Stak: Just bare bones and balls. Judging by the reaction, this is what people are yearning for. Nostalgia for streetball culture or hunger for real gritty hoops-Cube‘s message definitely resonated with many. So, while BIG3 might not have all the glitz and glam of the NBA, it surely has something even bigger: Authenticity. Cube, Stak, and the fan base all agree on that one.
This story originally appeared on Celebrityinsider
