Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a large NBA fan and has interacted with some basketball gamers through the years. The WWE legend’s charisma and flexibility typically outshine his hoop counterparts after they get collectively.
Johnson rose from being an unknown to turning into one of many leisure world’s largest and most bankable superstars. He’s definitely at par with the famous person energy of the basketball gamers he has had an opportunity to collaborate with.
Listed here are 5 NBA superstars that Dwayne Johnson has had an opportunity to work with
#5 Kevin Durant
The Brooklyn Nets ahead, one of many NBA’s perennial MVP contenders, has had a really attempting and controversial previous few seasons in league historical past. KD tried his greatest final season, however couldn’t even win one recreation towards the Boston Celtics.
Durant demanded to be traded within the offseason after which reportedly requested for the firing of GM Sean Marks and head coach Steve Nash. To say that the previous few seasons have been chaotic and filled with shortcomings is an understatement.
For Dwayne Johnson to hype up Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets’ season virtually ensures a bounce-back 12 months from the Jap powerhouse. “Black Adam” doing a voice-over to hype up the Nets’ marketing campaign this season is chillingly scorching:
“On this world, there are heroes and there are villains. Final 12 months because the world targeted in your failures, who noticed associates turn into foes and others cement their place in historical past with out you, questions from these watching as your legacy turned riddled with doubt.
“However in an effort to attain your pinnacle as soon as once more, it is time to choose. You will be the destroyer of this league, otherwise you will be its savior.”
Dwayne Johnson’s collaboration with Kevin Durant solely provides extra suspense and expectations for the Brooklyn Nets.
#4 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo and his Milwaukee Bucks teammates are well-known for his or her pre-game wrestling rituals. They’ve made among the most hilarious and entertaining makes an attempt to enter Dwayne Johnson’s world.
It didn’t take lengthy for “The Rock” and “The Greek Freak” to work together. A 12 months earlier than the Bucks gained the 2020 NBA championship, Antetokounmpo and Johnson labored out collectively. The fun-loving Greek basketball famous person then promptly tweeted:
“I scent what the Rock is cooking.”
And when requested what occurs in a wrestling match with “The Rock,” Antetokounmpo replied:
“I’d kill him.”
The 2-time NBA MVP was clearly joking, prompting Dwayne Johnson to get again on the basketball participant:
“Love this dude. It’s why he’s @NBA beast & the Bucks are #1 within the E.
However you don’t need this smoke, cuz I’ll slap your lips off into subsequent week, son.
And by that I imply, let’s simply get a exercise in and luxuriate in some tequila after.”
The 2 might work together but once more sooner or later given their simple chemistry and obsession with regards to understanding.
#3 Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal challenged themselves to a weightlifting contest years in the past. They went on to bench press 205, 225 and 315 lbs as the competition heated up. The ultimate weight was at 405 lbs the place a spotter was extraordinarily mandatory.
Working as spotters for the NBA superstars have been Dwayne Johnson and Mark Wahlberg. The previous will assist Shaquille O’Neal whereas the latter takes Charles Barkley’s facet.
Each former NBA gamers had little to no issues lifting the earlier three weight classes. Shaq failed on the 405-pound marker. Luckily for Shaq, Dwayne Johnson was in his nook to assist him out.
To the shock of mainly everybody within the gymnasium, the out-of-shape “Chuck” simply out lifted Shaq. “The Rock” couldn’t consider what he was seeing whereas Mark Wahlberg was placing on a poker face.
After Barkley was declared the winner, the producers then revealed that “Chuck’s” weights have been dummies. Everybody had their chuckle, together with the shedding workforce that had Shaquille O’Neal and Dwayne Johnson.
#2 Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal and John Cena are shut buddies. Cena and Dwayne Johnson had a made-for-TV spat throughout Wrestlemania 27, which all however assured the now-retired Johnson’s return to the WWE.
When WrestleMania 28 introduced the battle between Cena and “The Rock,” the previous NBA famous person sided with the reigning WWE champ.
“Wanting ahead to seeing my man @JohnCena smacketh down @therock at present at #wrestlemania in Miami. That man is Shaqqed. #”
This was the primary of a collection of photographs thrown at “The Individuals’s Champ.”
Shaquille O’Neal added later:
“The true Tooth Fairy might go to @therock tonight after @johncena will get via with him. #cenation”
Dwayne Johnson had sufficient of Shaq’s trash-talking and responded:
“@SHAQ Hows your lips Shaq? Trigger subsequent time I see you, I am slapping them off your face.” #TeamBringIt #ByeByeLips
“The Rock” ended up beating John Cena, however no lip slapping occurred between Johnson and Shaq.
#1 Steph Curry
Two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry confirmed off his appearing chops in HBO’s Ballers. He was Dwayne Johnson’s movie star visitor in one of many present’s episodes.
“The Rock” performed the character Spencer Strasmore, a former athlete who’s now the supervisor of Anderson Monetary Administration.
Steph Curry, enjoying himself, interacted with Strasmore about sure issues he needed to cope with in his NBA profession. Strasmore used all his attraction to make Curry his shopper whereas attempting to beat obstacles which might be seemingly positioned to cease that from occurring.
There was no trash-talking between the 2, however the chemistry was simmering between the 2 Beneath Armour endorsers.
Subsequent to LeBron James, Steph Curry is the largest identify within the NBA, which ranks him on the prime of this listing.