Golden State Warriors as Champs, in the Words of Tupac

As I am sure you are aware, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers to win their first NBA title in forty years. What you might not know is that they clinched the title on the birthday of the late Tupac, who hails from the Bay Area. Therefore, as a tribute to both, I give you the story of the Warriors, broken down by era, using nothing but Tupac lyrics spliced together from different tracks:

1. The Warriors endured years of mediocrity and years where mediocrity would have been a compliment. They had some tastes here and there with Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin in the early 90’s but, all in all, it was a crapfest after the ’75 title team.

It ain’t easy. Ahh, I suffered through the years, and shed so many tears. No memories, just a misery. And all the drama got me stressin’ like I’m hopeless. You know we lost hope and we needin it. I’m lost and not knowing. Show me some happiness again. Please, no more pain. So much pressure on my brain. It’s like your mind don’t understand. You don’t have to kill your dreams. Prayin’ hard for better days.

I’m up before the sunrise. My every move is a calculated step. Don’t wanna make excuses, cause this is how it is. Through every dark night, there’s a bright day after that, so no matter how hard it get, stick your chest out, keep your head up, and handle it. I guess change is good for any of us.

2. Things hit rock bottom with the Latrell Sprewell choking Coach P.J. Carlesimo incident. It’s one thing to be losing games in anonymity; it’s another to be overtly inept and dangerously so. 

Wake up in the morning and I ask myself: Will I survive all the fights and the darkness? I got enemies do anything to break me. Constantly movin’ while makin’ millions. Competition got me ripped. My nerves is wrecked, heart beatin and my hands is swollen. Be prepared, cause only the strong survive.

3. Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson made things fun in Oakland for Warriors fans for a playoff run, but it was just the beginning.

 

Line up my adversaries. Now if you wanna roll with me, then here’s your chance. Follow as we ride. Everybody keep your eyes on the prize cause the ride get tricky. Always keep my eyes on the prize. Always do your best, don’t let the pressure make you panic. Nothin’s impossible, if there’s a will there’s a way. So get your mind on official business. You can be great.

4. Mark Jackson changes the attitude in Oaktown. He brings an edge that had been missing. Having Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson sure didn’t hurt.

My attitude changed, got to the point where I was driven, twenty-four/seven. I want members across the fifty states to keep the nation anticipatin’ until we break. I got nothing to lose and something to prove. Will I be great, is it my fate? Believe in me and you could see the victory. A warrior with jewels. All eyes on me.

5. Steve Kerr takes a good team and makes them great.

Well guess who’s movin’ up. I proceed to make them shiver when I deliver. Whole neighborhood buzzin’. No longer living in fear. And if you ain’t one of us, it gets worse. Must see my enemies defeated. I know I’m runnin’ through your head now. Defeat is not my destiny.

I guess times gettin’ hard, even harder for you. My adversaries crumble when we rumble it’s a catastrophe. Can you see me now? Move to the side a little bit so you can get a clear picture. It ain’t personal, strictly business baby, strictly business.

6. Champions.

Heaven ain’t hard to find. In fact you can have it, just have faith, just like a little kid, still believing in magic. Against all odds. It takes a lot of sacrifice. I saw nothing but family, straight up down for me. Mob on to this new era, cause we untouchable. You can’t see me. This is the good life. 

Oaktown, Oakland definitely in the house. In the locker room, all the homies do is laugh. It ain’t nothing but a party. Straight ballin’.

If you want the Cavs version, it’s one line from “Me Against the World”: Could somebody help me?