Master P is looking to get back in the NBA as a coach. Speaking with TMZ on Tuesday (June 22), the No Limit Records founder reflected on the head coach position for the New Orleans Pelican currently being open and said he wants the job.
“I think it’s time,” he said. “They gotta do something different, unique. You look at Tim Tebow, they brought him to play as a tight end because they looking at times is changing. The NBA is entertainment. I think it’s time for me to be the first hip hop coach because what I know as basketball. I played in the NBA, I done coached a lot of great players that are in the league. I done took my sons from being high school athletes to maybe they’ll be the next future big-time pro athletes. I coached DeMar DeRozan, a lot of great players.”
Master P has an extensive entrepreneurial resume and previously played professional basketball for the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors. He’s also a native of New Orleans, which he says would help him connect with the players and community.
“I know that I could show people like Zion [Williamson]… we got great players on the team but they need somebody that understand them. So, if they bring me in as a head coach or assistant coach, I think I could change the game,” he explained. “We’ll win with Zion and be happy, [playoffs] and everything. I feel like it’s motivating the players and understanding them.”
The 54-year-old hip hop mogul also discussed his credentials over another runner-up for the job, former NBA player and current Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Chauncey Billups.
“Chauncey Billups is a great person, but knowing New Orleans culture and knowing the people, having the people wanna come up, having the community to be a part of this, I know that I’ll be that guy that can really change the game,” he said. “Even if I have to work my way [up], start as an assistant coach. You gotta trust the process. But I done been through everything; I know how players think and I know kids who make multi-millions of dollars. They need somebody that understand them too at the same time.”
Last year, Master P expressed interest in potentially buying the Pelicans. He also owns his own basketball league, Global Mixed Gender Basketball.