No one deserves success more than DeMar DeRozan

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 15: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls shoots over Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter at Staples Center on November 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

With one quarter of the NBA season in the books, it is fair to say the Chicago Bulls have been better than expected. While they were always going to improve thanks to the additions of DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball to their core of Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, there were clear concerns as well.

This was especially the case on defense, where it was felt that they would be turnstiles on a lot of opponent’s possessions. Instead, they are 17-9, good for the second spot in the Eastern Conference, and boast a defensive rating of 106.1. That is the fifth-best mark in the entire league. Factor in a top 10 rating offensive as well (109.9, eighth) and this is a franchise that very much looks for real.

The Chicago Bulls as a whole have been a feel-good story, but nobody deserves this moment in the spotlight more than DeMar DeRozan

Although he was rightly traded for Kawhi Leonard so that the Toronto Raptors could win an NBA championship in 2019, it was also a cruel way for DeMar DeRozan to bow out of Canada. He is among the best players in franchise history and, alongside Kyle Lowry, led the Raptors to the conference finals in his time there.

He was a four-time All-Star there and helped put the Raptors back on the map. Lowry rightly gets more credit, but DeRozan was right there with him. It was just unfortunate that they peaked at a time when LeBron James had returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers and was desperate to bring that city a championship.

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