Basketball
Kurtis Blow Lyrics

They're playing basketball
The game of basketball is currently being played

We love that basketball
We have a strong affection for the game of basketball

Basketball is my favorite sport
Out of all sports, basketball is the one I prefer the most

I like the way they dribble up and down the court
I admire the skillful movement of players as they dribble the ball along the court

Just like I'm the king on the microphone
Similarly to how I consider myself a leader in the rap industry

So is Dr. J and Moses Malone
Basketball legends like Dr. J and Moses Malone also hold a dominant position in the basketball world

I like slam dunks, take me to the hoop
I find great enjoyment in the high-flying, forceful dunks and the act of driving towards the basketball hoop

My favorite play is the alley-oop
The alley-oop, where one player tosses the ball towards the hoop and another player finishes with a powerful dunk or layup, is my preferred play

I like the pick-and-roll, I like the give-and-go
I appreciate plays like the pick-and-roll, where one player sets a screen to free up a teammate, and the give-and-go, where two players exchange quick passes to outmaneuver the defense

'Cause it's basketball, uh, Mister Kurtis Blow
The reason I appreciate all these aspects of the game is because it all adds up to the overall experience of basketball, which is my domain as Mr. Kurtis Blow

I used to go to dinner, then take the girl
In the past, I used to go on dates and afterward, I would take the girl

To see Tiny play against Earl The Pearl
Specifically, we would go watch Tiny play against Earl The Pearl in a basketball game

And Wilt, Big O, and Jerry West
We would also watch basketball icons like Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry West

Play basketball at its very best
These players showcased their exceptional skills and abilities, displaying basketball at its highest level

Basketball has always been my thing
Throughout my life, basketball has been my area of interest and passion

I like Magic, Bird, and Bernard King
I particularly admire basketball superstars like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Bernard King

And number 33, my man Kareem
Another player I highly respect and admire is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who wore the number 33

Is the center on my starting team
In my ideal basketball lineup, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would be the starting center

Now did you see that boy Pearl the other night
Did you witness the impressive performance by Pearl (Earl The Pearl) in a recent game?

Take that thing up in Ewing's face?
He executed an impressive move, taking the ball aggressively towards Patrick Ewing's face

He's bad, but I like Michael Jordan, man
Although Pearl's skills are commendable, my personal favorite player is Michael Jordan

Man, do y'all remember the old days?
Do you all recall the past, reflecting on the earlier years?

The old days when the Reverend Dr. J
Back in the old days, when the esteemed Dr. J (Julius Erving) was at his prime

Used to take the whole team, boy
He would easily dominate the entire opposing team, demonstrating his immense skill

Used to do it to 'em
He consistently outperformed and outmaneuvered his opponents

Used to burn 'em, used to burn 'em
He had a habit of decisively defeating his opponents, leaving them in disbelief

I saw him burn Cazzie Russell one night
I personally witnessed him completely outplay Cazzie Russell in a game

Man, it was embarrassing
The defeat was so severe that it caused embarrassment for Cazzie Russell and his team

Oh Bernard King is my man
I highly admire and respect Bernard King

I like that nigga
I have a deep admiration for his skills and abilities

Knicks play ball
The New York Knicks basketball team actively engages in playing the sport

Oh they been playin'
The Knicks have been actively participating in basketball games

Bill Russell was the man
Bill Russell stood out as a highly influential figure in the basketball world

Oh, but Wilt usually take him, man, Wilt
However, in head-to-head matchups, Wilt Chamberlain often proved to have the upper hand against Bill Russell

My man Bill Russell had the championship ring
Despite that, Bill Russell's accomplishments include winning multiple championship rings

Wilt just had them points, that's all he ever had
While Wilt Chamberlain's main achievement was scoring numerous points, his overall basketball legacy was less significant compared to Bill Russell's

I don't know, I don't know about rings, man
Personally, I don't prioritize championship rings as the sole criteria for greatness in basketball

They're playing basketball (the ball, y'all)
Currently, a basketball game is taking place with the ball being actively used

We love that basketball (the pill, the pill, the pill)
We have a deep affection for basketball, often referring to the ball as the 'pill'

D up, D up, D up
Play strong defense, tightly guarding the opponent

Oh yeah, to the hoop
Enthusiastically drive towards the basketball hoop

Shoot the pill
Take a shot with the basketball

Bass line, slam dunk
The strong bass line of the music adds to the excitement of a powerful dunk

Oh yeah
Expressing excitement and satisfaction

I get the ball and then I go and play
Once I have possession of the basketball, I immediately engage in playing the game

Like a superstar in the NBA
I perform on the court with a level of skill and talent comparable to NBA superstars

The forwards, the centers, and all the guards
Referring to all positions in basketball, including forwards, centers, and guards

The ones you see on the bubblegum cards
These players are the ones featured on collectible bubblegum cards

Me and homeboy would go one-on-one
My friend and I would compete against each other directly, one-on-one

'Cause playing the game is a lot of fun
Engaging in basketball brings great enjoyment and entertainment

Sit by the TV and watch 'em all
We would sit next to the television and eagerly watch all the basketball games

Cause Kurtis Blow is rappin' basketball
Because I, Kurtis Blow, am expressing my love for basketball through rap