Muse on: Kobe says it's up to DeRozan to inspire next generation
Kobe Bryant inspired many people around the world to play basketball.
DeMar DeRozan is one of those people.
The Toronto Raptors star was inspired by Bryant's resilience in Game 5 of the 1997 Western Conference semifinals, when his Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated by the Utah Jazz. A rookie at the time, The Black Mamba cost his team the game, but didn't let that faze him nor stop him from having a legendary career.
DeRozan, who hails from Compton, Calif., worked with Nike on the "Compton" AD with that memory in mind and credited the future Hall of Famer with influencing him.
Kobe's ability to fight through adversity inspired me as a kid growing up in Compton. My Compton #KobeAD PE drops April 12. #Comp10 pic.twitter.com/5T1JELTOhs
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) April 5, 2017
Bryant responded Friday saying it's up to DeRozan to inspire the next batch of hoopers.
And now it's on you @DeMar_DeRozan to inspire the next #museon #KobeAD #fadeonem https://t.co/Sb6mDqHTcu
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 7, 2017
It's not the first time the two deadly mid-range shooters showed each other love. When DeRozan re-signed with the Raptors last offseason, he said Bryant - who played all 20 of his NBA seasons with the Lakers - inspired him to build a legacy in Toronto.