There's nothing new about NBA players using rap as a break from basketball. Yet, despite all the heat ballplayers have taken for doing it, it seems that for every rapper that tries to crossover and play ball (we haven't forgotten you, Master P), there are still 10 NBA players that want to rap.

Last week, we heard about a video of Los Angeles Lakers star Ron Artest paying his respects to--you ready for this?!--Afghan women. And while we can't hate on Ron-Ron's intentions, we do have to say this: Enough is enough, fellas! Before you decide to pick up the mic again (and, yes, we see you, too, JJ Redick), think about these 10 guys who've tried it. Then think: Do I really want to be on a list like this one day?



10. Jason Kidd



Rap Resume: In 1994, J Kidd appeared on the song "What The Kidd Did" from the album "Basketball's Best Kept Secret," which also featured fellow ballers Dana Barros, Cedric Ceballos, Chris Mills and J.R. Rider. The track featured Digital Underground's Money B.

Sample Lyrics: "Every chick that I pass, they smile and they wave at me/Damn near, turning flips on the pavement," from "What The Kidd Did"

Our Rating: Let's just say there's a reason that brand-new copies of the BBKS CD are selling for just 53 cents today.


9. Gary Payton



Rap Resume: Not to be outdone by Kidd, Payton also contributed this track called "Livin' Legal and Large" to the Basketball's Best Kept Secret album in 1994 (#randomthought: How do they split up that 53 cents?!)

Sample Lyrics: "It's time to kick it, 'cause that's how we're livin'/Signing contracts left and right for the millions," from "Livin' Large and Legal"

Our Rating: In his prime, The Glove was known for getting steals on the basketball court. But stealing Too $hort's cadence and flow for an entire song, GP? Technical foul!


8. Kevin Durant, Mo Williams, Rashard Lewis, and Andre Iguodala


Rap Resume: Under the rap monikers Velvet Hoop (Durant), Chief-Blocka (Iguodala), Ice-O (Lewis) and Fog Raw (Williams), these four young NBA ballplayers teamed up with the legendary DJ Quik to form the fictional rap group Hyperizers for a series of Nike commercials last summer.

Sample Lyrics: "Velvet, I'm the youngest-in-charge/Now get the hell out my garage" (Durant)

Our Rating: Alright, alright, we laughed the first time we saw this one. But if you're gonna use hip hop in your commercials, leave the rapping to the professionals from now on, Nike. Just do it.


7. Troy Hudson



Rap Resume: The former Minnesota Timberwolves star created his own record label Nutty Boyz Entertainment and released his debut album "Undrafted" in 2007.

Sample Lyrics: "The Chevy got some miles 'cause it's used to taking trips/And you can't see me when I'm creeping 'cause the candy got that flip," from "I'm A Gangsta"

Our Rating: The Project Pat guest appearance on "I'm A Gangsta" actually made this album worth a listen. Apparently, 78 other people thought so, too.


6. Chris Webber



Rap Resume: Under the name C. Webb, Webber released his first and only album "2 Much Drama" in 1999. It included the single "Gangsta! Gangsta! (How U Do It)," featuring Kurupt.

Sample Lyrics: "Deal with many h*es but never been turned out/N*ggas think they can f*ck with me, must be shermed out," on "Gangsta! Gangsta! (How U Do It)"

Our Rating: "2 Much Drama" was a little, um, too much for us. Fortunately, Webber later redeemed himself by producing the 2006 song "Blunt Ashes" for Nas's Hip Hop Is Dead and the 2007 song "Surviving The Times" for Nas's "Greatest Hits." Quit while you're ahead, Chris.


5. Allen Iverson



Rap Resume: Under the name Jewelz, A.I. released his first single, "40 Bars," in 2000. He also recorded an album called Misunderstood but shelved the project after the single was criticized for including derogatory and homophobic lyrics.

Sample Lyrics: "Come to me with fa**ot tendencies, you'll be sleepin' where the maggots be," from "40 Bars"

Our Rating: What AI said into this mic > Anything AI said into a recording studio mic.


4. Tony Parker



Rap Resume: Recorded entirely in Parker's native French language, the San Antonio Spurs point guard released his debut album TP in 2007.

Sample Lyrics: "Tout doux j'ai mon style/Le rap perce dans les chars," from the album's lead single "Balance-Toi" (we'll spare you the translation)

Our Rating: Rumor has it Eva Longoria Parker appeared in the video for "Balance-Toi." Can someone--anyone?--sit through it long enough to confirm?


3. Shaquille O'Neal



Rap Resume: After releasing his platinum-selling debut album "Shaq Diesel" in 1993, Shaq went on to release "Shaq Fu: Da Return" (1994), "You Can't Stop The Reign" (1996), and "Respect" (1998). Last year, this video emerged of Shaq freestyling in a New York nightclub and taking several shots at former teammate Kobe Bryant.

Sample Lyrics: "My Ford Explorer boomin' with the clumped-up funk/All you jealous punks can't stop my dunks," from his first single "(I Know I Got) Skillz" off Shaq Diesel

Our Rating: Okay, so, "Kobe, tell me how my a** tastes!" is gonna go down as the most memorable of Shaq's lyrics. But, be real: You had the Shaq Diesel cassette tape--and you loved it.


2. Kobe Bryant



Rap Resume: In 1999, Bryant recorded his debut album. Though the album never hit store shelves, the first single "K.O.B.E.," featuring Tyra Banks was released.

Sample Lyrics: "I don't know, yo, these women come and go/Like the wind they blow, how do I know it's you for sure?" from "K.O.B.E."

Our Rating: People forget that a young 50 Cent was supposed to make an appearance on Kobe's debut album. We bet 50 would like to forget, too. (Though, for the record, this did make us feel a little better about the words "Kobe Bryant" and "rap" being used in the same sentence.)


1. Ron Artest



Rap Resume: Artest's debut album, "My World," sold 365 copies during its first week in stores in 2006. It featured Mike Jones, Juvenile, Capone and Nature.

Sample Lyrics: "Run my fingers through your hair, brush your face just to show you that I care," from "Afghan Women"

Our Rating: Ummm...remember when we said Ron Artest would do something nuts this season? Check the video above. Enjoy!