LeBron praised DeRozan’s consistency, describing the immediate impact of the Kings first appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Game is game.
And when you’ve been in that game for over two years, like Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James in the NBA, he has a great appreciation for those who have culture in a similar way.
DeMar DeRozan is in his first season with the Kings but his 16th year in the league. While DeRozan has said in the past that he has no intention of striving for 22-plus seasons in the NBA like James, the four-time NBA MVP praised DeRozan’s consistency since he entered the game in 2009.
“It’s not just physical, it’s also mental to be able to endure season after season,” James told reporters in Sacramento ahead of Thursday night’s Kings vs. Lakers game at Golden 1 Center (h/t FOX40’s Sean Cunningham). “To be able to come and still have that motivation year after year, if you’re able to put in two decades like myself or over a decade and a half. When you look at Deebo, his consistency since he entered in the league, it’s just getting better and better and it’s always good.
“This guy is on the floor no matter if he’s in a (Toronto) Raptors jersey or a (San Antonio) Spurs jersey or the (Chicago) Bulls or right here – he’s always there. So you definitely find inspiration out there. from people not only in our sport but other sports too who are still playing at a high level no matter what year they are in.”
It’s DeRozan total 22.5 points on 49.3-percent shooting, with 3.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 22 games with Sacramento this season.
He is one of the most respected players in the league, known and praised for his reliability, along with, of course, his incredible talent and scoring ability.
That’s why DeRozan’s impact on the Kings was no surprise to James.
“He made an immediate impact wherever he went,” James said. “No matter if he’s here for the rest of his career or somewhere else (else), he’s going to play a role. He’s that type of player.”
James is averaging 22.8 points on 49.2-percent shooting, with 8.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists in 24 games this season.
Father Time has yet to catch up to James or DeRozan, and respect and admiration is common.
