How DeMar DeRozan has returned to All-Star form with the Chicago Bulls

Why Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan should be an All-Star: Elite rebounding from the wing position

It seems that every sports commentary show is obsessed with the narrative of “how much the game has changed.” The prevailing idea seems to be that the increased usage of the three-point shot has made the game virtually position-less, and that old concepts no longer apply. However, no matter how coaches or players approach the game, there are certain rules of thumb that will forever remain constant.

One element of basketball that will never decrease in importance is rebounding. If a team fails to secure the ball on the defensive end, their opponent will capitalize with second-chance points.

It is almost impossible to win a game if one team grossly outrebounds another and gets second-chance shot attempts. And, while positions may not be as defined as they were in the past, power forwards and centers still do the majority of the rebounding. They are the biggest players on the floor and spend the most time in the paint, so cleaning the glass is one of their primary duties.

DeMar DeRozan is a wing player who’s averaging 5.9 rebounds per game through the first nine games of Chicago’s season. To have a perimeter player grabbing around six boards every night is a luxury that Head Coach Billy Donovan and his staff must appreciate.

Most shooting guards and small forwards rarely crash the glass and are even less likely to box out when a shot attempt goes up. That is not the case with DeRozan. He is conscientious about making sure the player he’s guarding doesn’t get the ball, and equally as deliberate in pursuing the rebound himself.

Having a veteran player who puts forth this type of effort can only serve to rub off on the young guys; it’s not just his game that’s at an All-Star level, it’s his leadership as well.