The Cleveland Cavaliers' series-clinching victory on Tuesday night nearly turned into a nightmare.
Hours after the Cavs finished off a sweep of the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference finals, J.R. Smith posted this video to Instagram:
In the video the Cavaliers appear to use a move popularized by the rapper Lil B. Yes, this is the same rapper who had beef with Kevin Durant and is in the midst of a fight with James Harden. The Oakland-based rapper, whose real name is Brandon McCartney, says Harden stole his signature "cooking" celebration.
Lil B called Harden out for the celebration and has supposedly put a curse on the Rockets' star.
Go warriors @warriors and let James harden no he doing the Lil B cooking dance if he doing that flickin wrist or whipping he mark - Lil B
— Lil B From The Pack (@LILBTHEBASEDGOD) May 21, 2015
"Does he know the originator of the cooking celebration?" Lil B wondered aloud in an interview with CBSSports. "You know, I just want to make sure that he pays homage to the artist that created the original work."
Lil B saw Smith's Instagram video and called out the Cavaliers. Fortunately for the team and everyone in the city, Iman Shumpert put out the fire.
. @LILBTHEBASEDGOD Preciate the swag killa . I cooks I chef all love
— Iman Shumpert I (@I_Am_Iman) May 27, 2015
@I_Am_Iman appreciate it brother I got you enough said GO CAVS - Lil B
— Lil B From The Pack (@LILBTHEBASEDGOD) May 27, 2015
Shouts out to iman shumpert and the cavs Ima keep it real tho jr smith lebron and Kyrie I'm not to sure about realness over millions - Lil B
— Lil B From The Pack (@LILBTHEBASEDGOD) May 27, 2015
Here's the 2010 video which Lil B claims is proof that he invented the cooking celebration. You can decide for yourself whether Harden and the Cavaliers are using his move.