It was a “Biggie Night” down at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Sunday where the life and legacy of The Notorious B.I.G.was remembered with a special tribute.
Biggie’s number 72 jersey was retired and raised to the rafters just days after the 20th anniversary of his untimely death.
The banner, presented during the halftime break in the contest between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, carries lyrics from Biggie’s “Juicy” (“Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way”) and will serve as a permanent reminder to his contribution to hip-hop.
Friends and family gathered at half court to salute the rapper, while his former collaborator DJ Enuff was on hand to spin tunes.
Diddy, who last week launched a social media campaign to remember Biggie, took the mic to tell the audience their hometown hero was “the greatest rapper of all time.”
The occasion inspired the Nets, owners of the worst record in the NBA this season but winners tonight. The Knicks were hypnotized by big man Brook Lopez and his Nets teammates who rained in the threes to win the so-called Battle of New York by 120-112.
