Friends Forever: My Favorite NBA Bromances
The first bromance moment caught on national television was when Zeke and Magic met on court before Game 6 of the 1988 Finals and exchanged a kiss showing their deep friendship. In memory of that relationship, which effectively ended last week, I have compiled a list of bromances from the NBA. For those of you unfamiliar with the term the definition is as follows. Bromance (n.) is a close but non-sexual relationship between two men; see also: Man-Crush; related words: Pause.
-The Lopsided Bromance: When Rashad McCants was drafted by the Timberwolves everyone knew that his attitude would be quickly adjusted by Kevin Garnett, what no one knew was their friendship would go bromantical, at least for Rashad. Garnett was so important to Rashad he wrote a poem about their relationship.
“He came to me with open arms, like a hawk embracing his young,
and he fed me food out his mouth but I was starving for knowledge.
the type of knowledge that can’t be fed by hand or voice, but by heart.
so when he spoke he touched my soul, and my soul would smack me if I didn’t listen the words he spoke weren’t for the ears to hear.
because his words were real, it’s hard to hear the truth when lies are so loud.
I put my earphones on so I can hear nothing and see everything.
lies could never steal my attention when he…he…spoke.
The eyes never lie. and when he spoke he wore no glasses.
he wanted me to see the truth, which was? that everyone wears glasses to protect lies, truth? glasses? lies?
sounds like earth, sounds like humans, sounds like America.
but if that’s so where is he from? not from here, he has no glasses!
there was an aura, a light, a truth, about him.
special? never. different? maybe. human? impossible. so I asked him one question to expect one answer.
when you walk and talk and teach how come everyone can stare at your light, your aura, your truth?
because we are the same.”
Garnett was traded to the Celtics after one year with Rashad, we can only hope the Celtics sign McCants and give us an opportunity to read how Paul pierced his heart……
-I really hope they become Bros: Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant. Why? Because Raja Bell, Ruben Patterson and Shaq would never talk trash about Kobe with Ron Artest aka Tru Warrier aka The New World Order backing him up. Charles Oakley got nothing on Ron Artest.
-I Can’t believe they are Bros: I almost refuse to believe this bromance is true. Mike Lloyd Miller from Mitchell, South Dakota is a bro of King James. I guess to be fair; he is probably more of a bro to Lebron’s boy whom he named his son after. Here is a list of Millers I could see Lebron being bros with: Percy Miller, Reggie Miller, Cheryl Miller…..
-This Bromance keeps me Employed: For all you budding General Managers out there, if you want to keep your superstar happy, without say signing paying for another star, sign their bros! That’s Pat Riley’s philosophy. Why else would the Heat trade for Quentin Richardson and hold on to Dorrell Wright, if not to keep Dwayne Wade happy. The D-Wade, Q-Rich, D-Wright bromance runs so deep that Dorrell named his first born after the other two musketeers (Devin Quentin Dwayne Wright). As long as they remain close with D-Wade, Wright and Richardson will always have a home on the end of a bench somewhere. (Note to Donnie Walsh: Make sure you sign D-Wade BEFORE you offer Dorrell a contract).
-The Greatest Bromance of all time: Chronicled by ESPN, crossing conferences, extravagant shopping trips and 3 hour lunches and conversations at trendy LA restaurants, the Steve Francis/Cuttino Mobley Bromance is not only the greatest bromance in the history of the NBA is might be the greatest Bromance since Batman and Robin. Franchise and Cat were ripped apart by Orlando’s front office in 2005 leaving Stevie Franchise changed forever. Here is what Francis said after Mobley was traded, I’ve inserted some pauses.
“I can’t put it into words,” he said. “Playing with a guy (pause), living with a guy, just knowing that every day when I wake up that’s something I can count on (pause), that I’m going to be in practice or in a game with Cuttino………Him not being here is going to be tough for me (pause). I don’t know what I’m going to wake up for (pause).”
Now Francis is out of the league and Mobley is still getting paid by the Knicks but is suffering from a broken heart. Maybe this should have been when Bromance goes wrong…..
What are your favorite Bromance in the history of the NBA?
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October 27th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Tim Hardaway and John Amaechi. Oh wait… Nevermind.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
D A says:
hahahahahahaha
October 27th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
SWAT says:
LMAO! Here in htown theres a bowling alley in SWAT, across from Olle M.S., tht used to offer some sort of bowling special on weds. man i used to see moochie norris, cuttino, and steve in thr all the time. ahh…those were the days.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
nobs6669 says:
t-mac and vince carter
tripple j (jason kid, jamal mashburn, jim jackson) of dallas
webber and howard
iverson and hughes
sacramento kings and jayson williams
detroit pistons and ben wallace
billups and hamilton
October 27th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
nobs6669 says:
paton and kemp
stockton to malone
October 27th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
jlinks says:
Wow, WOW!!! If that wasn’t the gayest article I ever read. I refuse to believe that Rashad really wrote him a friggin poem???? i just dont have words for that one. I dont know about yall but i absolutely hate the phrase “man cruch” that is gay too. Im not baggin on gay kats but that article is something i could have done w/out. WHO CARES!!!!!
October 27th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Alex "Robocop" Murphy says:
What about Darius Miles and Q-rich?
October 27th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Yep says:
Kobe and the lakers????
October 27th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Diggity Dave says:
I know someone that works closely with the Magic players, and she told me that Francis and Mobley were on the down low.
If they’re gay, who cares. The way sports handles homosexuality, I don’t blame any player for keeping it under wraps.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Jake says:
VC and Tmac are related, am I wrong?
BARKLEY/BAVETTA
October 27th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
control says:
Weren’t TMac and Mike Miller like SUPER close?
October 27th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Jah says:
Shawn Kemp & Gary Payton
October 27th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
sh!tfaced says:
Will it still be called a “bromance” if Rudy Gay and Kevin Love become best friends?
Dennis Rodman and Jack Haley.
David Stern and LeBron James.
T-Mac and his surgeon.
Larry Bird and white players.
Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Chitown 23/33 says:
D Miles and Q Rich and Rip and Chauncey just have to be on the list…Rip was never the same last year.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
SWAT says:
vc and tmac are 2nd cousins
October 27th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
control says:
sh!tfaced
Hahah, damn good ones man.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
JA says:
“related words: Pause” <- classic
October 27th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
jvedo says:
jason kidd and jimmy jackson hate each other {toni braxton} made sure of that!!
October 27th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
SJ says:
Kobe and 50% of the NBA fanbase…. LeBron and the OTHER 50% of the NBA fanbase….
October 27th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Scott says:
I’m surprised no mention of Billups/Rip Hamilton bromance. It may have been too one sided on the part of Rip, who I believe if I recall correctly cried when he heard the news. He then went on to make AI’s life a living hell in repetence(sp?) for being the reason Billups left.
Rip’s, a normally stable guy all his career became a MAJOR drama queen when Billups was moved. Who knew breaking up a bromance could cause such ramifications. I bet Rip was doubly mad when he found out that Melo was Billups NEW bro, and then Billups proceeded to take Melo to his favorite spot: The Conference Finals. Rip must of been hurt, mad and sad all at once. LOL.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Ariose says:
LeBrick James and His Ego
October 27th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Jake says:
He did cry, in a hotel room none-the-less
October 27th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
srb says:
What the hell is this? What a waste of time.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Rare Air says:
Ho Grant and Pip
October 27th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
M says:
Rudy Gay + Kevin Love= The “Gay-Love” Bromance
October 27th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Reddi Red says:
LOL @ Scott!
so true, when we traded Chauncey, Rip fell to pieces. all last year he cried and “gayly” threw his hands up in question of a foul on every shot.
I admit, AI was a huge distraction, but Rip’s drama queen antics were a distraction as well. That’s why I say…….TRADE HIM!!!!!!!!
Darius/QRich
MJ/Scotty
Franchise/Cutty
Rip/Chauncey
AI/GPage —>Georgetown (nicest 1-2 in college at that time)
October 27th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Ian says:
douglas c and kobe but that one is really one sided.
oakley would fuck artest up.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
LakeShow84 says:
LMAO @ Sh!tfaced
Gay Love.. Classic..
October 27th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
life-p says:
Good to see genuine relationships throuhout the League.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
LakeShow84 says:
@ Ian
Artest would kill Oakley..
Literally kill him.. Artest would go Biggie “mofucka this aint back in the days” and shoot him..
October 27th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
ThatDudeE says:
I once went to a celebrity basketball game in las vegas in August of 2001. In walks Cat and Franchise in matching outfits. It was at that moment that I realized they might be on the down low, if you know what I mean.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Beth G says:
qrich and dmiles
October 27th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Ian says:
lake
artest is just one dump fuck. why doesnt he do all that crap he pulls in the nba on the streets? a man that goes “doesnt he know hes elbowing ron artest” wont do shit he knows what hes doing with his im crazy act.
btw isnt going biggie like being dead.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Kobeef says:
@Sh!tfaced
“Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian”
Adding Lamar and Khloe to the bromance list is cold man….
..but damn that is funny
October 27th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Promoman says:
The Steve Francis & Cuttino bromance started to breakup when Houston got Jeff Van Gundy to bring organization to the squad and put an end to them playing 2 on 5. While the two were All-Star level talents, they couldn’t be on the court at the same time. Their game plan was to shoot if the other guy wasn’t open. Steve especially, acted shitty when Yao Ming got the team.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Youngwood says:
Like Riley Freeman would say and i quote : ” Y’all niggaz are gay ” lol
October 27th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Taj says:
LOL… At the Cat Mobley/ Franchise bromance! Thats funny shit!
Dirk and Steve Nash have(had)a pretty good Man Crush going on after they lost a playoff series a couple yrs ago…See Evidence below..
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2Ld-c7n7AvQ/Ri5P0nqo3II/AAAAAAAAABE/of6ykQ381Mw/s320/nash_nowitzki_drunk.jpg
October 27th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
That's whats up says:
that picture scares me
October 27th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
That's whats up says:
that picture scares me
October 27th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
That's whats up says:
A LOT……
October 27th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Reddi Red says:
Taj……
Dirk looks PLASTERED!! LMAO
S.Nash nose is red as a beet.
Let me guess……Jagerbombs!!
ha ha haaaa
October 27th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Diego says:
Nice article–and some funny stuff above, e.g., “Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian”!
Is the McCants story really true?
October 27th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
JH says:
Twin Towers, D. Robinson & Timmy D.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Diego says:
And how about that nice studio photo of Cuttino and Francis accompanying the article? LOL.
October 27th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
No J Mayo says:
Francis to Mobley, “Boy, I wish I could quit you.”
October 27th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
big mo says:
MICHAEL JORDAN AND KWAME BROWN!!!!!
October 27th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
LakeShow84 says:
LMAO @ NoJMayo
October 27th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Guitar Hero says:
That McCants story is kinda scary. Good poem, though.
What about Brian Cardinal and Scalabrine? I could see a nice bromance brewing over there. Please, Mr. Ainge, make it work.
October 27th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
That's whats up says:
Cardinal and Scalabrine would have some crazy looking kids together
October 27th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
hooper5013 says:
No homo at that picture of Cuttino and Francis SMH
October 27th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Promoman says:
Steve Francis & Cuttino Mobley: (Broke)Backcourt 2000
October 27th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
The answer says:
you’re kidding right, about the Mccants story! please tell me you are! hahahaha always leave it to Dime to make my day
where’s the real tyrone when you actually need him!
October 27th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
JBaller says:
Jeff Van Gundy and Alonzo Mourning’s leg!
October 27th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
JBaller says:
Yo whoever said that Artest would beat Oakley in a tough-guy contest must not have watched too many Knicks games in the 80s and 90s. Oakley could take anything that Artest could give him.
The worst thing that happened to the Knicks was when we passed Artest up at the draft when he was holding up a sign that said “Knicks, pick me”.
October 27th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
JBaller says:
Larry Bird + White Players…now that’s classic. And true.
October 27th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Diggity Dave says:
JBaller says:
Jeff Van Gundy and Alonzo Mourning’s leg!
+1
October 27th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
dreams says:
david stern and lebron james
October 27th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
AB_40 says:
larry bird was actualy offended when white players guarde him because it would be better if one of them guarded him… damn raccists.
scottie and jordan were both competitors they wanted to win and beat each other. and they did over and over and over again especialy in practice. they hated to lose both of them and that’s what proppeled them to greatness (the bulls that is )
I always wondered why there are no “john stockton and karl malone walk into a bar” jokes.
andrei kirilenko and mehmet okur. I once saw an interview with both of them at the same time talking each other up. that was one of the gayest moments on nba tv. but realy those guys are close.
ben wallace and rasheed wallace walkin with those championship belts togethre I guess they were close too.
October 27th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
David Brandon says:
steve DID take that trade a little too hard. cat always did seem weird to me tho.
@ youngwood, you already know!!! hahaha!
kellen, nice article man. had me crackin up. but dont think cause you put up a article up i’m not gonna light your team up this week. you still gonna get beat son! lol oh and i did get the email. i’ll hit you back today
October 27th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Vinny says:
I’m with Ian- Oakley would kill Artest!
October 27th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Nyeme says:
Tmac said the same ish as Franchise when Mike Miller was traded. That’s when his tantrums started. I love on-court/off-court friendships. Great watching players that are real friends play ball.
I was a fan of the Wonder Twins (Cat & Franchise). Chemistry on the court was crazy…even though they spent a little too much time playing buddy ball, but still a good combo. They were one player away from being a force.
Nick & EJ was a good one too. They did the same ish as Cat & Franchise.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
King says:
” I don’t know what I’m going to wake up for (pause).” – Francis
There aren’t enough pauses/ no homos that can cover this shit up. After he said that I started to believe there may be sone truth to the homo rumors about them. Plus last year i saw Mobley coming out of the apple store on 5th ave when I was in NY and he looked flaming, tight ass silk like shirt and jeans. Made me think what’s really good with the nickname Cat.
October 27th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Pet Society Help says:
Yao Ming and his interpreter.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:34 am
EN FUEGO says:
Stevie Franchise and Cat Mobley is the basketball version of Chazz Michael Michaels and Jimmy McElroy
Vlade Divac and Peja Stojakovic were 2 Euros from Bromania
October 28th, 2009 at 5:10 am
GMC says:
If I remembered correctly, Damon Jones and Billups came before rip and billups
October 28th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Reddi Red says:
EN FUEGO says:
Stevie Franchise and Cat Mobley is the basketball version of Chazz Michael Michaels and Jimmy McElroy
^^^^^^^^^classic!^^^^^^^^^ LMAO!!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Jacqueline Mitchell says:
How about David Stern and Michael Jordan?
October 28th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
sh!tfaced says:
^^^^^^^^ LOL. Yeah. The Commish, MJ and LeBron, that’s the NBA’s “bromage à trois” right there…
October 28th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Da_Griff says:
HEYHEY!!!!
You are all forgetting the most incredible and unlikely Bromance of ALL TIME!!!!
Shame on you for forgetting:
Dennis Rodman and Jack Haley.
Jack, one of the worst players to ever lace up in the NBA was employed on several teams for the sole purpose of being Rodman’s friend. Now THAT’s a bromance.
You all make me sick.
October 29th, 2009 at 8:44 am
got beef says:
howza bout:
p squared and KG
cp3 and tyson chandler
mj and championships
t-mac and fishing boat during 2nd round of playoffs
October 29th, 2009 at 11:44 am
BillaY~~! says:
Washingtons’ fist and Tomjanavich’s face
October 29th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
LowerEastScribe says:
The Original Bromance:
Bob Cousy and Bill Russell…old school Bromanc’in…
October 29th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
LowerEastScribe says:
How about the college bromance of Mateen Cleaves and Mo’ Pete!…lol
October 30th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Toni says:
Rip was extremely upset when Chauncey left but he became a “major drama queen” because of his poor relationship (to put it mildly) with their new coach.