No one deserves success more than DeMar DeRozan
By Luke Duffy
Once with the San Antonio Spurs, it was a case of out of sight, out of mind with DeMar DeRozan. He was paired with LaMarcus Aldridge, another player who appeared more suited to a style of play that was dying out. This transition came quickly once Stephen Curry was successfully hoisting shots up from half-court.
Despite this, DeRozan still averaged over 20 points a game during his three years in Texas, a feat we take for granted, but one that is not easily done.
The Spurs weren’t relevant, though, (DeRozan appeared in one playoff series while in town), and rather than look to the front office to move with the times, the blame was instead placed on the antiquated games of both DeRozan and Aldridge.
After a some forgotten years with the San Antonio Spurs, DeMar DeRozan has found a home with the Chicago Bulls
When he joined the Bulls this past summer via a sign-and-trade deal, he inked a three-year, $85 million deal. Eyebrows were raised. This was a guy who certainly put up points, but who in nine years with the Raptors averaged just over 28 percent from deep, and with the Spurs, saw that number decrease horribly to 22.7 percent.
Yet the more midrange-heavy game of DeRozan has not only found a home in Chicago. It works brilliantly around the other pieces in place. Nobody is talking about it either, but the shade over 33 percent DeRozan is shooting from distance this season is (on 2.5 attempts) is one of the better numbers he has ever posted in that category.
It is not just about the offensive game that allows DeRozan to create for himself and score in all manner of ways. At 32, he is having the best year of his career because he looks comfortable, but also fearless.
Never was this more apparent than in a recent win over the reeling Brooklyn Nets, as DeRozan went toe-to-toe with James Harden and Kevin Durant and pulled out the win.