The Brief: As the Golden State Warriors take on the Toronto Raptors for the NBA Championship, the internet can't help but obsess over (mostly Drake) memes.

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DEEP DIVE

In Game 1 of the series, the Toronto Raptors took down reigning champions, the Golden State Warriors. In Game 2, the Warriors tied the series 1-1. While many sports fans seem hyped about the possibility of dethroning the Warriors, it seems the internet is even more invested in the NBA Finals meme potential. We all have Drake to thank for that.

This isn’t the first time the Canadian rapper has inspired viral meme trends. Drake has also been very vocal about supporting his hometown Raptors, so it’s no surprise that he’d drag the opposing team, especially one as prolific as the Warriors.

Drake may be the 2019 NBA Finals meme fave (scroll down for his greatest hits so far), but he certainly isn’t the only meme to come out of the series.

Steph Curry vs. Klay Thompson Memes

During Game 2 of the series, Twitter users were quick to point out the alarming size difference between Golden State’s Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.

This meme features an image of the two players seated side-by-side on the team bench.

While Thompson does have some extra inches on Curry, it was later revealed that he is also seated on some extra chair cushions in the photo.

This film reference is for all the Millennials…

And this one’s for anyone struggling to find their #MondayMotivation.

#NBAFinals TikTok Memes

Sports fans are sharing their fan favorites across TikTok, too. Last week, the NBA issued an official TikTok challenge and to date, the hashtag #NBAFinals has over 62 million views.

Many #NBAFinals memes showcase fans watching and/or playing basketball.

This one roasts basketball superstar Lebron James. Believe it or not, this is the first NBA Finals in 9 years without LeBron James.

Happy Drake vs. Angry Drake Memes

In Game 1 of the series, the rapper and Toronto Raptors ambassador trolled Steph Curry, taunted the Warriors repeatedly, and exchanged trash talk with Draymond Green.

However, Drake was much less vocal after the Raptors took an L in Game 2, prompting meme makers to do what they do best: roast.

The Happy Drake vs. Angry Drake memes show side-by-side photos of the rapper, one of him smiling and one in which he sports an angry pout.

Drake’s Smile Memes

Supposedly, Drake was captured on camera yelling, “You guys trash,” at the Warriors following their Game 1 loss. When some Warriors tried to respond, Drake fired back with this smirk:

Looks like Drake’s smarmy smile might be the new ultimate clapback!

Drake has even been likened to some of pop culture’s favorite villains, like Thanos…


Or Game of Thrones‘s Daenerys.

Seems like social media is here for it.

Drake “KEVIN?!?” Memes

All aboard the Drake meme train! In Game 2 of the series, Drake threw shade at Warriors forward, Kevin Durant, who has been MIA from the first two games due to a calf injury.

Just before tipoff, Drake rolled up to his  seats wearing a hoodie with Home Alone’s Kevin McCallister on the back. The caption below the photo read, “KEVIN?!?!?!”

NBA stans were convinced that the hoodie was a jab at the injured Durant.

Will the real Kevin McCallister please stand up?

Perhaps the best thing to come from Drake’s “Kevin?!?” stunt was actor Macaulay Culkin’s Twitter response. For those confused Gen Zers, Culkin played the role of Kevin in Home Alone.

Okkuuurrr, Drake? Sometimes your own memes turn on you.

The 2019 NBA Finals kick off Game 3 this Wednesday, June 3rd. We’ll just have to wait until then to see what Drake does next…