DeMar DeRozan Opens up About His Top 100 Ranking and Wanting to Be Like Kobe

Toronto Raptors star DeMar DeRozan recently sat down with ESPN for a new in-depth interview and it looks like the player is still upset with being ranked so low on ‘Top 100’ lists. To refresh your memory, back in September DeRozan voiced out his frustrations even after earning his second NBA All-Star title and leading the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals by averaging 23.5 points throughout the regular season. So understandably, DeRozan was upset to see himself land at No. 46 on Sports Illustrated‘s Top 100 list. Other publications such as ESPN ranked DeRozan at No. 30, while the Washington Post ranked him at No. 45. SI‘s write-up stated he “hasn’t made much progress extending his range” and “had the benefit of playing in the glow created by Kyle Lowry” last year. Elsewhere in the interview, DeRozan talks about his obsession with how the Raptors can beat the Cavs and how he has patterned his career and his approach to the game of basketball after Kobe Bryant. Read the full interview here. On his Top 100 ranking, DeRozan states:

“I think it’s B.S. I’m willing to line up against anyone in the league, and it will be toe-to-toe until the end. I believe I’ve proved that. You put in so much work, it’s almost sickening. I watch everything, I read everything. I’ve always been a guy who wants to prove somebody wrong. I wouldn’t rub it in anyone’s face, but that’s my gratification. I’ve seen so many guys’ work ethic, and I know it doesn’t come close to what I’m putting myself through. When you see those rankings, it makes you want to go out and prove it.”