Is Master P the Greatest Rapper/Baller Ever?

Stories don't always turn our the way you think they well when you start. With the annual Ruckers streetball tournament approaching and no shortage of shit talking leading up to the Converse Band of Ballers game in Atlanta (for example Jay Electronica comparing his defensive skills to Anthony Mason) I thought it'd be an apt time to rank the best ball-playing rappers in hip-hop history. But then, after some research, it was clear that there was really only one answer. One man's game was so much better than everyone else's his was really the only name worth mentioning. That man, is Master P.

A little bit of background. First, the six-four Percy Miller was an all-state guard in high school, no easy feat in Louisiana> After an extended absence from the game while he built up his No Limit empire, Miller returned to ball and played well enough with the CBA Fort Wayne Fury to earn an invite to the Charlotte Hornet's training camp during the 1998/99 season. After seeing virtually no playing time and being waived by Charlotte signed with the Toronto Raptors and played in a number of pre-season games, averaging a paltry two points a game, and was again waived, ending his serious basketball career.

Now there are two ways to look at an admittedly unimpressive resume like that. The first, negatively. Master P never managed to make the regular season roster of an NBA team, and it's no wonder why. Scoring less than five points a game and playing shaky (at best) defense isn't exactly the formula for NBA success.

This very public failure made Percy a punchline in NBA and hip-hop jokes, but here's another way to look at it. Master P was signed to two NBA teams! Now granted the Hornets and Raptors aren't exactly the Celtics and Lakers, but they're legitimate professional franchises who don't sign people for a joke. He was obviously good enough for them to at least take a look. Like literally thousands of other guys Master P was cut in the pre-season, but when you think about it, that's actually pretty incredible. Has any other rapper ever been offered a contract by a professional team, in any sport? I can't think of another rapper who played D1 college ball, let along got a shot at the NBA. Isn't this actually an amazing story? Until someone offers evidence to the contrary, I'm officially awarding Master P the best baller in hip-hop history crown, and frankly it's not even close.

As an added bonus for those who are really, really interested, here's some footage of Percy's time with the Hornets.