DeMar DeRozan pays tribute to the late Kobe Bryant ahead of his game against Lakers.
It’s been 9 days since Kobe Bryant died in a tragic helicopter accident, but the whole world has been honoring his legacy since. From 24 and 8 second violations at the beginning of games to changing jersey numbers, players have been mourning the loss of their childhood idol. Not many players had a chance to share a connection with Bryant, but his reach stretched far.
As an LA native, DeRozan looked up to Kobe as he began his basketball journey. When DeRozan was drafted to the Toronto Raptors, who were in their rebuild phase after losing their star, Chris Bosh, he had no leader to look up to so he turned to Kobe for advice. He savored every moment that he had around Kobe. After his death last week, DeRozan struggled to find a will to play, as Kobe had meant so much to him.
As the Spurs made their first road trip to LA since Bryant’s death, DeRozan found it only right to honor the late legend in the tunnel. DeRozan sported a Minneapolis Lakers Kobe Bryant Jersey over an all-white sweatsuit. He finished the fit off with a crisp pair of University Blue Air Jordan 2’s. DeRozan also exposed his earbud wires, which in this day and age, it’s a rare sight to see a wire. Although the Spurs couldn’t pull out a win against either the Clippers or the Lakers on their short trip to LA, DeRozan combined for 54 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists against arguably the two best teams in the league.
Besides his outfit, DeRozan pays tribute to Kobe by playing like him.