How Kobe Bryant influenced DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan says that Kobe Bryant sparked his imagination as a scorer.

© Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

DeMar DeRozan became just the 50th player in the history of the NBA to score 20,000 points. The Bulls star thought about his mentor and late friend Kobe Bryant before getting his greatest career achievement so far.

DeRozan has been compared to Bryant often because of his similar offensive game, and he said that the Lakers legend sparked his imagination as a scorer.

"My imagination and my foundation started from Kobe," DeRozan told Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. "Just watching him give me that imagination as a kid to want to shoot a fadeaway. To want to learn to pull up. To want to rock a 'fro. It started from that. That was my skeleton of a basketball player I wanted to be and things I wanted to do. Without Kobe, I wouldn't have that imagination."

The story so far

DeRozan made his NBA debut on October 28th, 2009, scoring eight points with five rebounds on 3-of-6 shooting to help the Raptors beat the Cavaliers 101-91. A five-time NBA All-Star, DeRozan has appeared in 964 regular season games with 952 starts for the Raptors, Spurs, and Bulls.

As of November 6th, the 33-year-old guard has averaged 20.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.0 steals in 34.3 minutes over 14 seasons. DeRozan has worked very hard to get to where he is at. The Chicago Bulls saw his elite talent, as he has been their primary offensive option and fourth-quarter closer since last season.

DeRozan is cut from the same cloth as Bryant

DeRozan is cut from the same cloth as his childhood hero Bryant. Kobe asked Michael Jordan about different ways to improve and DeRozan had a similar relationship with Bryant since high school.

DeRozan's playing style reflects his obsession with Bryant and adopts the Mamba Mentality Kobe always talked about.

DeRozan was 7-of-13 from the free-throw line in a 102-98 home win against the Magic on January 3rd. After that game, he shot over 250 free throws while the United Center workers broke down the court to switch over to hockey. These are MVP habits.

"Everything I learned came from Kobe. Everything. Take Kobe away, I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't have love. I wouldn't have passion, the drive. Everything, everything, came from him," DeRozan told the media on January 26th, 2020, the day of Bryant's death.

Bryant worked like he had no talent, and then he played like he believed he was the best player in the world. DeRozan learned that lesson well; he prepares with humility and performs confidently.