"He was incredible on a bad knee" - DeMar DeRozan reveals taking inspiration from Michael Jordan's Wizards era
NBA stars Paul George and DeMar DeRozan have developed a close off-court friendship. DeRozan appeared on George's podcast, Podcast P, on Monday, making his second cameo on the show.
In his appearance, DeRozan discussed adapting his game with age, paying homage to Michael Jordan's two-year run with the Washington Wizards from 2001-2003, and more.
"If you sit and just watch Wizards [Michael Jordan] and see how incredible he was from 38 to 40 years old, the way he scored the ball and the way he was able to create his shots from the post, from the elbow," said DeRozan.
"Off one dribble, off two dribbles. Stop, pull-up, how physical he was in the post, how he was able to create contact and still get to the basket. He wasn't as athletic as he was, but still being able to finish over guys," he continued. (48:41 mark)."
DeMar DeRozan took these aspects from Michael Jordan's game as he got older to influence his own game as he ages and battles through past injuries.
"If he's doing this at this age, let me figure out how to master these things that he's doing. You don't see everybody doing that... He was incredible on a bad knee," said DeRozan. (49:28 mark)
DeRozan and George remain two of the most elite mid-range scorers in today's NBA. Taking inspiration from arguably the greatest mid-range scorer in league history can help them remain efficient as they approach their late 30s.
DeMar DeRozan and Paul George discuss challenges of moving to a new team
Both DeMar DeRozan and Paul George are set to join contending NBA teams as the respective third scoring options.
George will suit up for the Philadelphia 76ers, alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, while DeRozan will suit up for the Sacramento Kings alongside De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
In the same episode of Podcast P, the two All-Stars discussed the transition of moving teams in the NBA.
"I know for me, being away from my kids is the toughest," DeRozan said. "Being away from them, missing a lot of, if it's a daddy-daughter dance. Or, if my son has an appointment. You miss certain things, it kind of stings in the moment." (36:01 mark)
George agreed, touching on his experience of moving his family in the wake of his transition to a new team.
"For me it's like, my kids have been [in Los Angeles] five years. When we first came here, my oldest was five, so she had just started schooling, she just met her friends, got her group. Now the toughest part of that is like, taking her from all of that and moving her to Philadelphia," explained George. (37:01 mark)
DeMar DeRozan and Paul George are set to debut with their new teams in the 2024-25 NBA season.