During the last season, we learned that the Lakers had come very close to signing DeMar DeRozan. Determined to assemble a “Big Three”, LeBron James had played recruiters by inviting the former Raptors back to his home, and he had also spoken with Damian Lillard. Finally, it will be Russell Westbrook, and at the microphone of JJ Redick, DeMar DeRozan reveals that everything was closed for his arrival…
« To my knowledge, it was finalized. I went to Mexico to evacuate all that and prepare for what’s next. I was there telling myself that I was going to take a few days to breathe. says the Bulls star. “One morning I was in bed and I got a call from Kyle Lowry and he said, ‘The Lakers just got Russ back. What is happening ? I thought it was good for you’. »
Zach LaVine reassures him
DeMar DeRozan looks at his phone, and he can’t believe it. The Lakers no longer call him, and he knows that the arrival of Russell Westbrook blocks his situation: “ In my head, that’s the only option. After that, I was really lost. I hadn’t even considered anything else because I was letting this situation sort itself out. »
DeMar DeRozan returns from Mexico, and he has confirmation that the Lakers have suddenly changed their plans. We must consider a plan B, and it will be Chicago for a nice contract of 81 million dollars over three years. But before, he had made a phone call to Zach LaVine to make sure he would be there for the long haul. The arrival of Lonzo Ball also reassured him because he wanted to play with a real playmaker.
personal revenge
The rest, we know it… DeMar DeRozan is simply having his best career season, to the point of being a candidate for the MVP title for a long time.
In fact, the All-Star guard was simply in vendetta mode. Especially because a team had offered him the minimum wage! Another, interested, had nothing better to offer him.
Who is it ? DeMar DeRozan doesn’t give names but he gives a hint: I was pissed off and tried to make it visible, especially when playing against certain teams. It’s easy to find because I’ve made it personal revenge against a handful of teams. I got extra motivation out of it. At the start of the season, the quote I read every day was from ‘The Godfather’: ‘Revenge is a dish best served cold’. And I stuck with it. It was my mentality every time I went to play. »
For the record, DeMar DeRozan was particularly successful last year against the Clippers, the Lakers, the Sixers, the Bucks, the Wolves, the Thunder and… the Spurs.
