8 NBA players who will remind you of Kobe Bryant this season

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers share a laugh during their game at Staples Center on January 13, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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6. DeMar DeRozan (San Antonio Spurs)

Growing up in L.A. and growing into a 6’7″ shooting guard with hops and handles, DeMar DeRozan was undoubtedly influenced by Kobe.

The four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA pick showcases that on a nightly basis with his strong mid-range game, textbook footwork, and playmaking ability from the two-guard spot — some of the hallmarks of Kobe’s game.

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams recently compared DeRozan’s footwork to that of Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon, who used to have Kobe as a pupil in his famous summer workout sessions. Kevin Durant once said he studied DeRozan’s footwork for pointers.

Just on a simple eye test, DeRozan’s athleticism exceeds what Kobe had, especially earlier in his career when he was known for his high-flying highlights. While Kobe won the NBA’s All-Star Weekend dunk contest as a rookie in 1997, DeRozan’s body of work in the 2010 and 2011 dunk contests — in which he finished second and third, respectively — was more impressive dunk-for-dunk.

DeRozan spent nine years with the Toronto Raptors before he was traded to San Antonio as part of the Kawhi Leonard deal in 2018. Two years earlier, DeRozan had considered signing with his hometown Lakers in free agency. That was the summer following Kobe’s retirement. DeRozan has said he ultimately re-signed with Toronto because he wanted to build his own legacy there like Kobe had built in L.A.

DeRozan is putting up All-Star caliber numbers this season (23.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists per game), but he wasn’t named an All-Star with the Spurs still struggling with an under-.500 record.