DeMar DeRozan has never shied away from crediting Kobe Bryant for shaping his NBA mentality. Over the years, the six-time All-Star has spoken candidly about the impact the late Lakers icon had on him, first as a childhood idol, then as a mentor.
But in his latest appearance on 7 PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony, DeRozan revealed that Bryant’s guidance didn’t always come in obvious forms. Sometimes, it came wrapped in cryptic phrases and bewildering advice that only clicked in hindsight.
How Did Kobe Bryant’s Cryptic Wisdom Shape DeRozan’s Mental Game?
During his sit-down with Anthony, DeRozan opened up about how Bryant would often leave him puzzled with comments that seemed abstract in the moment but would prove meaningful later on.
“Kobe the type who would say some s**t, and you be like, ‘What?’ You remember the Kanye commercial he was in? It really be that,” DeRozan said, referencing the surreal 2012 ad where Bryant offered vague motivational mantras to Kanye West.
“There have been times when I was working out, he was like… and I’m like, ‘What the f**k is – how you –what?!’ But I’d just go along with it. Later down the line, something accidental would happen, and I’m like, ‘Aah, that’s the sh** he was talking about.'”
DeRozan described Bryant’s approach as a form of psychological warfare, not malicious, but strategic, designed to prompt players to think differently and dig deeper.
“He’d play mind games from that type of standpoint when it comes to a lot of sh**. That was one thing that was great about him because it shows how cynical he was in his mind.”
To DeRozan, that cynical edge wasn’t about negativity, but rather Bryant’s way of staying one step ahead. He had a deep ability to teach by disorienting, challenging players to unlock lessons on their own. The approach forced players to think beyond the obvious, pushing them to find answers within themselves rather than simply being told what to do.
DeRozan admired that quality and saw it as a sign of just how sharp Bryant truly was. The mentor’s ability to plant seeds of knowledge that would germinate months or even years later spoke to his understanding of how growth actually happens in basketball.
What Made DeRozan’s Mentorship With Bryant So Special?
DeRozan’s admiration for Bryant long preceded their personal connection. Growing up in Compton, California, DeRozan modeled his game after the Lakers legend. By the time he entered the NBA in 2009, the two had struck a bond that soon evolved into mentorship.
Bryant took DeRozan under his wing during offseason workouts, where his trademark work ethic served as a blueprint for DeRozan. Those sessions helped mold him into one of the most respected midrange scorers in a league that has increasingly prioritized 3-pointers and spacing.
The influence was obvious even to DeRozan’s peers. Back in 2022, Joel Embiid remarked that DeRozan’s footwork reminded him of Kobe, an observation that resonated with fans and analysts alike. The comparison wasn’t lost on DeRozan, who had spent countless hours studying and replicating Bryant’s signature moves.
DeRozan himself once summed it up: “That was my favorite player growing up, that was a mentor of mine, that was somebody I looked up to, I could go to for advice. For me, Kobe — he was everything to me.”
However, DeRozan isn’t alone in this experience. A long list of NBA stars have sought Bryant’s counsel over the years, including Paul George, James Harden, Klay Thompson, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kyrie Irving.
MORE: STEPHEN CURRY RECALLS TRASH TALKING KOBE BRYANT AS A ROOKIE
Each player has echoed similar themes: Bryant’s unmatched drive, his cerebral understanding of the game, and his ability to challenge others intellectually. What made Bryant special wasn’t just his skill level, but his capacity to see potential in others and push them toward it in unconventional ways.
DeRozan faced Bryant 10 times during his career, splitting the head-to-head 5-5. He averaged 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists on 44.4% shooting in those matchups, a respectable mark against one of the most intense competitors the league has seen.
Even now, years after Bryant’s passing, his lessons continue to be active forces in the lives of those he mentored. For DeRozan, every cryptic comment has taken on new clarity with time. The abstract wisdom that once confused him now serves as a constant reminder of how Bryant thought about the game and life itself.
