Drake says 'I'll go up there and pull it down myself' if Raptors retire DeRozan's jersey

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Even on Vince Carter night, DeMar DeRozan wouldn’t let himself think too far ahead.

Toronto rapper Drake appears to have some different thoughts.

Carter became the first Raptor to have his jersey retired when No. 15 was lifted to the rafters Saturday night. DeRozan will likely get his day too, probably after Kyle Lowry.

But he can’t wrap his head around that right now.

“Not yet. Because it’s such an emotional thought,” DeRozan said before the game when asked by TSN’s Nikki Reyes about being honoured by the Raptors.

“Especially with a place that holds so much significance for me. So it’s one of those things that I’m happy to see someone go up first.”

DeRozan told Postmedia Carter was “deserving,” and was pleased things turned around from how many in Toronto felt about Carter in DeRozan’s early days as a Raptor after being drafted in 2009.

“It’s full circle, he’s deserving and he needs all the love and appreciation because he changed the game for Canada basketball for sure,” DeRozan said.

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Apparently there might be more healing required in Raptor-land because DeRozan’s long-time friend Drake doesn’t seem too happy with him after DeRozan appeared in Drake rival Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Drake diss video.

Appearing on the Raptors broadcast Saturday, Drake — sitting in his usual courtside spot for the first time this season — said: “If you ever put a DeRozan banner up I’ll go up there and pull it down myself, shout out to Kyle.”

It was unclear if Drake was being completely serious, but it sounded like he was. He also called DeRozan a name, “it’s unfortunate we’re playing this goof,” Drake said on the broadcast and lip readers had a field day with what he allegedly said as DeRozan walked off the court following the loss.

DeRozan had a typically witty response at the ready: “Well, he’s going to have a pretty long way to climb,” DeRozan said. “I wish him luck.” Later DeRozan posted a clip from the movie ‘Friday’ to his Instagram seemingly referencing the Raptors’ global ambassador.