DeMar DeRozan is tough, but can the Compton-born shooting guard and Toronto Raptors star really carry on Kobe Bryant’s legacy by wearing his shoes?
DeRozan was inspired by and became Bryant’s biggest fan while watching Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Western Conference Semi-Finals when a young Kobe infamously airballed three or four straight shots in the game’s deciding moments.
That moment never fazed Kobe, and left an eight-year old DeRozan determined to escape the Compton streets.
DeRozan worked with Nike on the “Compton” Kobe A.D. with the memory of that Game 5 in mind, and he credited the future Hall of Famer with influencing him.
The Nike Kobe A.D. "Compton" has a release date of April 12, 2017 for $160.
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
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
-- ThaCover2