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In recent years, a striking parallel has emerged between two West Coast icons: the Golden State Warriors and Compton's own Kendrick Lamar. (Cue "California Love" by 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre) Every time Lamar drops an album, the Warriors seem to drop championship banners. The team's four NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) perfectly align with Lamar's past four releases: "To Pimp a Butterfly," "DAMN," "Black Panther: The Album" and "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers." So when Lamar surprised fans Friday with his sixth studio album, "GNX," Warriors fans had reason to celebrate. The timing couldn't be better -- Golden State currently leads the Western Conference at 11-3 and faces the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) with a chance to notch its sixth 12-3 start in franchise history. To further support the West Coast agenda: The Warriors have started 12-3 or better in each of the five seasons where they reached the NBA Finals. The Grammy Award winner's connections to sports don't stop at the hardwood. He's set to headline next year's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans -- an announcement that apparently disappointed New Orleans native (and noted Green Bay Packers fan) Lil Wayne. Lamar addressed this in the album's opening track, "wacced out murals," rapping: "I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down ... Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me." Perhaps Dub Nation should consider sending Lamar a thank-you note -- or at least a championship ring fitting. ESPN Research contributed to this story
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