This season, DeMar DeRozan treats. An anthology of offensive masterclasses punctuated by shots more clutch than each other. All in a Bulls team strengthened in the last off-season, and which has since been running wonderfully. We talked a little less about him for the MVP trophy, but DeMar’s last 4 games have set the record straight.
Drive from DeMar DeRozan, the back plants his support in the middle of several defenders, he feigns, twice, then lets go of his little mid range under a tide of opposing arms. A whistle sounds just before the ball hits its target. A scene seen and reviewed this season. Many teams have taken a mixtape of Uncle DeMar. His offensive panoply is just mind-blowing. From mid range to the circle attack that ends in a poster – passing by the small floater or the Kobe-style fadeaway – there are evenings when the only possible defense is to pray that the ball does not go in. His support game is one of the best in the league. There is Mamba in his game, evidenced by his vicious baseline shots, or even his killer instinct in the 4th quarter. After 12 seasons in the League, we already knew his qualities. But DeMar DeRozan has reached a new milestone this year, since his arrival in Chicago. In the first part of the season, he was one of the favorites for the title of Most Valuable Player. It’s been a few weeks now that we talk less about the Bulls’ No. 11, in the shadow of Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic. That’s good, he has just given us 4 new reasons to talk about him again, all with more than 30 points (31, 45, 38 and 36). Among them, a season high for voters to move his file up a bit in the pile of candidates for the MVP trophy. His first three hits were done – by professionals – without making a single 3-point shot, which says a lot about the perimeter UFO that he is. Cherry, his last three outings are very good, all at a minimum of 60% on shoot.
DeMar DeRozan’s last 4 games:
31 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST
45 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST
38 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST
36 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST https://t.co/pMp12AmrFo– NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) February 10, 2022
A little air. His level over the last four games has effectively revived a three-letter debate. The Bulls are second in the Eastern Conference and for his integration, the Compton native is certainly having the best season of his career. There are, however, a few mitigating circumstances in DeMar’s case. Like the Suns with Devin Booker and Chris Paul, the Bulls’ excellent form is not a one-man achievement. Billy Donovan’s squad is a two-headed monster and good if Zach LaVine is less « hypant », its importance should not be overlooked. Yes, DeMar is having a great season, but it may not be of the same caliber as Embiid, Jokic or even Giannis. We must also put into perspective the recent prowess of DeRozan. His performances against Philly (45 points) and Phoenix (38 points) actually resulted in two losses. Debacles to which the competition adds its grain of rice: Joel Embiid and Devin Booker also enjoyed facing the Bulls (40 and 38 points respectively). They thus scored more points in the minds of the voters, winning big victories. DeRozan’s credibility in the MVP race will largely depend on the Bulls’ future results. If the latter end the season outrageously dominating, he will logically be one of the favorites. But nothing is less sure when the first five places in the East are played in a pocket handkerchief.
Seeing DeRozan play at this level for the season, it fucks the banana. With the Bulls jersey on the shoulders, it’s really sublime. For the title of MVP, however, it may be a bit light, but it should not be buried too quickly. If DeRozan ends the season playing like it did in its last four games, the debate will intensify.
