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 ...

2018: Lamar releases “Black Panther: The Album,” Warriors beat the Cavs again. Warriors players have even noticed the trend. After their most recent title, Draymond Green acknowledged the streak on X. Lamar dropped “GNX” in 2024 and the Finals won’t be until 2025, but the album was released during the 2024-25 season.

However, despite the success of "Good Kid Mad City,' Lamar opted to wait three years before releasing "How to Pimp a Butterfly" on March 2015. Meanwhile, Golden State won its first championship in the Curry era in June of that year.