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DeMar DeRozan would not have helped the Knicks

By Zamir Bueno

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 04: DeMar DeRozan #11of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball during the 122-115 win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 04, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana, NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 04: DeMar DeRozan #11of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball during the 122-115 win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 04, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana, NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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DeMar DeRozan would have been worse off with the Knicks
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 15: Zach LaVine #8 and Javonte Green #24 of the Chicago Bulls shake hands during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers 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) /

DeMar DeRozan would not have helped the Knicks: His supporting cast

DeRozan’s mid-range success this season is related to his supporting cast. DeRozan is in the starting lineup with three players who are average or above-average in three-point shooting, in Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, and Nikola Vucevic.

These three players have a career three-point shooting percentage of above 35 percent on a minimum of two attempts per game. Their ability to shoot has given DeRozan room to operate in the mid-range because defenders are hesitant to leave these players open.

For instance, DeRozan is on the court with these three players for 3.9 minutes per game in 13 fourth-quarter outings. These players are primarily behind the arc during this stanza, as a minimum of 37.9 percent of their shots come from behind the arc averaging at least 1.1 per game.

Therefore, DeRozan has been allowed to take a significant amount of mid-range shots during this quarter as he has averaged three per game. He has been able to convert 54.1 percent of those attempts.

More importantly, in the fourth quarter, mid-range shots have accounted for 54.5 percent of DeRozan’s shots as he is averaging 5.5 per game. DeRozan’s mid-range success has helped boost his field goal percentage to 55 percent during that quarter.

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