Ice Cube recently expressed his lack of enthusiasm for the NBA’s new venture this season, despite his hometown team’s success in the inaugural In-Season Tournament.

In a conversation on The Pat McAfee Show last Monday (January 15), Cube shared his thoughts on the Los Angeles Lakers securing victory in the NBA’s newly introduced In-Season Tournament. The Lakers clinched the title in early December with a 123–109 win over the Indiana Pacers. This tournament, described by the league as “a new annual competition for all 30 teams,” featured 67 games across two stages—group play and knockout rounds—with each match counting as a regular-season game.

During the interview, Cube playfully downplayed the significance of the Lakers’ NBA Cup win, suggesting it didn’t hold the same weight as a championship banner.

“I don’t know if I count that as a banner. I think that’s more of a certificate,” he jokingly remarked. “We usually don’t hang nothing up but championship banners, so I guess this is cool if we need some extra window dressing. But for the most part, it’s a napkin.”

Ice Cube, a dedicated NBA fan and founder of the BIG3 basketball league, has a deep connection with the sport beyond being a spectator. His involvement in basketball has led to the formation of the BIG3 league, which features teams not tied to specific cities, and games are scheduled at arenas and stadiums across the country.

Earlier this month, rapper 50 Cent expressed interest in bringing Cube’s BIG3 league to Shreveport, Louisiana, where he is establishing his new G-Unit Film & TV studio. In an Instagram post, 50 Cent shared his excitement about the potential collaboration, stating, “I told @icecube I want to bring the big 3 to Shreveport, all roads lead to Shreveport it’s a go!”