Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
The Curse Of Lil B: Fans Blame Rapper For Houston Rockets' Bad Luck
Listen
• 1:51
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
MIKE BREEN: Topped to Howard, back to Harden, Harden tied up, knocked loose, picked up and the game is over. Golden State hangs on.
ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:
The final seconds of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals. Last night, the Houston Rockets suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors now lead the series two games to none.
Support for LAist comes from
AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:
But what really caught our attention is the reason why fans believe the Rockets lost. They blame it on a dreaded curse.
SIEGEL: A curse on star player James Harden supposedly placed by rapper artist Lil B. As they see it, Lil B was upset that Harden stole the signature dance with moves that mimic stirring a pot.
CORNISH: So we called Lil B to find out if there was a curse.
LIL B: Yeah, James Harden was warned. He wasn't cursed, not right now. You know, for as of right now, it was just a friendly warning saying hey, this is the originator of the dance saying you just - what are you doing?
SIEGEL: OK, now, why should people believe that Lil B has the powers to put a curse on someone?
CORNISH: Well, fans point to the misfortune of another star player from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here's what Lil B told us.
Support for LAist comes from
LIL B: The only person cursed was Kevin Durant, and he's never been the same.
SIEGEL: Apparently, Kevin Durant disrespected Lil B on Twitter, and Durant has been out most of the season with a foot injury. Draw your own conclusions.
CORNISH: But Rockets fans, all hope is not lost. Lil B tells us that Harden can get the warning lifted.
LIL B: James Harden just has to come publicly and explain what he's doing and just show respect to real artistry. And I just want to know where his head's at and what he's thinking.
CORNISH: As for James Harden, we reached out to him to find out what he thinks about the curse and if he'll dare do that dance again.
SIEGEL: No word yet; game three is played tomorrow. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist