6x NBA All-Star breaks down significance of Kobe Bryant & LeBron James’ Drew League appearances
Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are two of the biggest names to make an appearance in the Drew League during the NBA offseason. Six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan revealed the significance of the two legends made at the Los Angeles-based pro-am basketball league.
Making his second appearance on “Podcast P” with Paul George, DeRozan was asked about what it’s like to be on the court as Bryant and James at the Drew League. “Black Mamba” made a surprise cameo in 2011 during the NBA lockout, while “King James” was there in 2022 for the first time in 11 years.
“You got two iconic fixtures of our game playing in the hood, coming to support the community in a whole different way. … The anticipation like they kind of go neck-and-neck because both these Lakers legends, the best players in our league, everything come out here and play like it was. You got to put them neck-and-neck, you know what I mean?
“Like you pick your poison, you know? Whoever your favorite, that’s what you ride with but just for both of those guys to do something like that, it was like, ‘That’s legendary,'” DeRozan said.
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Kobe Bryant had 43 points in his lone appearance at the Drew League in 2011, hitting a game-winning shot over a young James Harden. Bryant was mobbed by fans after the game-winner, with security trying their best to protect the five-time NBA champion.
On the other hand, LeBron James also made his Drew League debut that same year during the NBA lockout. James returned in 2022, putting up 42 points, 16 rebounds and four steals. The small gymnasium was packed and all eyes were on the four-time MVP.
DeMar DeRozan grew up a Kobe Bryant fan
Born and raised in Compton, it was not surprising to know that DeMar DeRozan grew up a fan of the LA Lakers. His favorite player growing up was Kobe Bryant, who inspired him to pursue the NBA. He even attended one of Bryant’s local camps when he was growing up.
Speaking to Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina on Jan. 26, ahead of the fourth anniversary of Bryant’s untimely death, DeRozan opened up about the NBA legend’s impact on his life on. The Lakers legend passed away on January 26, 2020, in a helicopter crash along with his daughter Gigi and seven other passengers.
“Everything about him inspired me to want to be a basketball player. That was my favorite player growing up. He was a mentor of mine, and somebody I looked up to and could go to for advice,” DeRozan said.
DeRozan is back home in California after a sign-and-trade deal that brought him to the Sacramento Kings this summer. It might not be Los Angeles, but he’s still closer to home after stints with the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls.
