LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving were on the court at the NBA Finals. Jay Z, Kevin Hart, MC Hammer and Drew Brees were also there.
But Rihanna was the real MVP.
While walking to her seat, the singer, songwriter, actress and generally awe-inspiring individual totally sidetracked commentator Jeff Van Gundy. "Rihanna just walked in front of me!" Van Gundy yelled. "Are you kidding me?
"Rihanna just walked in front of me." Jeff Van Gundy, the realest, out here willing to risk it all. pic.twitter.com/z2jTfiBYrh
— Sean Craig (@sdbcraig) June 2, 2017
IM FINNA GET EVICTED FOR YELLING SO LOUD pic.twitter.com/S4ddAoXMpQ
— 〽️ (@Med2Cold) June 2, 2017
Rihanna, who attend the game with her assistant, Jenn Rosales, has long been a vocal LeBron fan and showed that with her social media game during last year's NBA Finals. When James was with the Heat, Rihanna supported him and even went to war with then-New York Knick J.R. Smith over the matter (now that Smith is James' teammate, she has to reluctantly give him respect, although Twitter can still make jokes).
Even when the Cavs were getting blown out in the fourth quarter Thursday night -- the Warriors won the game, 113-91 -- Rihanna bowed down to King James. She then dabbed in front of angry Warriors fans.
Amazing.
Rihanna bows to LeBron then hits a dab and small waves a Warriors fan telling her to sit down.
pic.twitter.com/q0IyIPIbGK— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) June 2, 2017
After the game, while walking with friends, Rihanna was caught on camera saying, "The King is still king, b****!"
Rihanna: "The King is still King, b----!" via @rachelnmarcus pic.twitter.com/woA5DDP87y
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 2, 2017
That's loyalty right there.
During the game, it appeared Rihanna established a new rivalry. She called out Durant.
ESPN cameras actually broadcasted Rihanna yelling, "BRICK!" during a Durant free throw attempt.
Listen: Rihanna yells "BRIIIIIICK!!!" at Durant during free throw, he stares her down twice (h/t @tshent) pic.twitter.com/XYdFOv9mc3
— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) June 2, 2017
Again, Rihanna was the MVP of the night. If there was an MVP of the actual game, it would have to be Durant, who put up 38 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
And it appeared he heard Rihanna's taunts. After hitting a late 3-pointer, Durant stared Rihanna down.
Or did he? Intrepid reporter Robert Littal of Black Sports Online asked Durant about the look at Rihanna, and KD side-stepped the question. "I don't even remember that," he said. Curry was intrigued though.
.@BSO making his case for #NBAFinals MVP pic.twitter.com/BjJc3HH4F8
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) June 2, 2017
The look between Kevin Durant and Steph Curry when asked about Rihanna was priceless. pic.twitter.com/kmpaDTNktR
— Paul Cusentino (@paulcusentino) June 2, 2017
This story gets better. Twitter has the receipts. Durant has a history of having affection for Rihanna.
That girl @rihanna RT @AyeDerBaba94: @KDTrey5 So my question is... If you could marry any girl who would it be?? RT
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) November 22, 2011
Somebody get @Rihanna to wish me a happy birthday and I'll be good..ya understand
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) September 29, 2012
Who isnt RT @AshleyBankz: jesus,I'm in love with Rihanna!
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) September 21, 2011
There's no word on whether Riri will be at a game the rest of the NBA Finals. But at least during Game 1, she established herself as a focal point of this series.
For LeBron, she is a crucial piece he can use to his advantage. Rihanna can potentially throw Durant off his game. If Durant's commanding performance Thursday is suggestive of how he will play the rest of the series, James needs all the help he can get.
-- Follow Jeff Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband. Like Jeff Eisenband on Facebook.