James Harden and the Houston Rockets have a huge problem on their hands, and it’s not Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson or any member of the Golden State Warriors. It’s Lil B, also known as Brandon McCartney, also known as the Based God.
The Based God, as we will refer to him from here on out, decided to call out the Rockets’ shooting guard at the worst possible time for the team. At issue? Harden’s celebratory dance, which the Bay Area rapper (and social media genius) sees as dance theft of the highest order, a ripoff off his signature “cooking dance.”
For comparison’s sake, let’s examine Harden’s “I made a cool shot” celebration. Note the stirring is performed at an angle similar to that of an egg beater.
(Source: YouTube)
And here is a version of Lil B’s “cooking dance,” although there are multiple manners and angles by which it can be performed:
(Source: YouTube)
On Thursday, just hours before the Game 2 of Western Conference Finals between the Rockets and the Warriors, the Based God sent out a tweet that sent shivers down the backs of Rockets fans who know of the Based God’s powers.
Go warriors @warriors and let James harden no he doing the Lil B cooking dance if he doing that flickin wrist or whipping he mark – Lil B
— Lil B From The Pack (@LILBTHEBASEDGOD) May 21, 2015
He soon after confirmed to TMZ what many in the Houston area feared: “If Harden doesn’t tell what he is doing, which is the Lil B cooking dance, he will be cursed. He needs to stop stealing Lil B swag without showing love.” (The Based God supposedly gave Harden until Game 3 to show him some love. Harden has maintained that the dance comes from a Houston-area rapper.)
Believers in the powers of the Based God, it needs to be said, freaked out.
Lil B please don’t do this.
— Mike Mill (@OhNo_ItsOjoh) May 21, 2015
@LILBTHEBASEDGOD @warriors BE KIND TO US LIL B DONT CURSE US PLEASE! Houston loves you too!!!!
— Viva La Lisa (@vivalalisa23) May 21, 2015
@BSO @LILBTHEBASEDGOD Lil B please have mercy, he meant no harm
— Jeff (@negroic) May 21, 2015
@LILBTHEBASEDGOD @warriors EVERYONE REAL KNOWS WHERE IT ORIGINALLY COMES FROM B, HARDEN DIDNT MEAN IT PLS SHOW UR LOVE TO TX #gorockets
— ⚡️ TIKO TEJA$ ⚡️ (@TIKOTEXAS) May 21, 2015
@LILBTHEBASEDGOD I apologize for any wrong doing on the behalf of james harden… don’t do this.
— ox (@czarzion) May 21, 2015
A number of hours later, the BasedGod doubled down, and a fear swept over the areas of Houston familiar with rap, Twitter and all that sort of stuff.
I love Texas and I rep Texas but I don’t fuck with any suckas that steal from Lil B and don’t pay homage or be mean and steal – Lil B
— Lil B From The Pack (@LILBTHEBASEDGOD) May 21, 2015
For a lot of Thursday night, it seemed like the Based God had actually held off on cursing Harden, as the shooting guard went for a monstrous stat line of 38 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. But then on the final play of the game, his team down one, some overwhelming — and perhaps otherworldly — force appeared to strip Harden of his MVP-worthy skills, reducing him to nothing more than a man on a basketball court. If you don’t believe in curses, you could say he choked.
At that point, it was clear that the Based God had not waited until Game 3 to make his move, as previously promised. The Based God subtly implied as much on Twitter.
People that steal from Lil B will pay now or later all you have to do is pay respect to the original and the leader blind ones will – Lil B
— Lil B From The Pack (@LILBTHEBASEDGOD) May 22, 2015
And the people bowed down.
Lil B the reason why we lost. Never disrespect the @LILBTHEBASEDGOD
— Mark Elizondo (@heyitsmark_htx) May 22, 2015
Please @LILBTHEBASEDGOD. @JHarden13 has done nothing wrong. He didn’t steal it. He is only paying homage to the great Based God.
— Andrew Alvarez (@IAmMrFoolish) May 22, 2015
lil b is undefeated
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) May 22, 2015
can’t Lil B do something about Syria
— ☕netw3rk (@netw3rk) May 22, 2015
And then, of course, the people made memes.
— Amin Elhassan (@AminESPN) May 22, 2015
BASED GOD WHY pic.twitter.com/SA5hQSvOjp
— SB Nation (@SBNation) May 22, 2015
@LILBTHEBASEDGOD pic.twitter.com/KMqMEPAs1i
— LIL B … CUTIE !!!! (@LilBHasBitches) May 22, 2015
@LILBTHEBASEDGOD pic.twitter.com/txvuVb6OAw
— Robin Aubry (@robinrelates) May 22, 2015
Let’s just say it’s pretty clear Harden knew what happened too.
We reached out to the Based God for comment but have yet to hear back:
Seeking comment on James Harden’s final possession from @LILBTHEBASEDGOD
— HuffPost Sports (@HuffPostSports) May 22, 2015
Just admit it, James: You stole the dance. Do it for the good of the team.
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