DeMar DeRozan takes over Drew League alongside LeBron James

In one of the more surprising basketball stories of the summer, NBA stars like the Lakers’ LeBron James and Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan have taken the game back to their roots by partaking in LA’s famous Drew League. Teaming up on the Cheaters, the two worked in tandem to deliver a show those in attendance won’t soon forget.

DeRozan cryptically hinted at a team-up on Twitter before LeBron officially announced he’d be participating, leaving fans speculating on just what he meant.

With LeBron James at his side, DeMar DeRozan was determined to put on a show at the Drew League.

Combining for a whopping 72 points and 30 rebounds, DeMar and LeBron were clearly enjoying themselves out there. James would go 18-for-36 from the field, while DeRozan made 9-of-23 shot attempts.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening was the fact that they did not dominate their competition. Up against Black Pearl Elite, which featured a host of professional players from overseas and former college players, they held their own up until the very end. In fact, BPE led by as much as seven points in the fourth quarter.

However, LeBron would come storming back as DeRozan set the table for his superstar teammate. Still, BPE would remain just close enough to have a chance to capture victory with a last-second three-point attempt. Unfortunately for them, the shot would not go in, meaning they’ll never get the chance to tell their kids they beat LeBron in a basketball game.

Not that I think they’ll mind, however, as it was clear to see how much everyone in the building was enjoying themselves. Packing that much talent in a small arena centered around a local community is a surefire recipe for success, one that I hope the NBA has taken note of and could possibly look to incorporate in future plans.