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Wow, was I wrong about this team, and most especially about DeRozan. I never expected that we were getting an MVP caliber player. Adding so many defensive minded players has definitely solidified this team's floor, at least I had zeroed in on that one. Though Ball and Caruso are looking a bit better than I had thought. Even with Vuc's regression and Zach's shooting coming back closer to his norms this team is really solid. But DeRozan, wow, I'm kind of speechless. I was completely wrong about him.

E-DC wrote:Wow, was I wrong about this team, and most especially about DeRozan. I never expected that we were getting an MVP caliber player. Adding so many defensive minded players has definitely solidified this team's floor, at least I had zeroed in on that one. Though Ball and Caruso are looking a bit better than I had thought. Even with Vuc's regression and Zach's shooting coming back closer to his norms this team is really solid. But DeRozan, wow, I'm kind of speechless. I was completely wrong about him.

There was a Spurs or Raptors fan here saying that he was very efficient in ISO and taking those mid-rangers. With defense and 3 pointers on his side he sure had the tools to be big in this team. But we are used to everything falling apart that we didn't expect this when there were people saying that it would turn out amazing.

We'll give DeRozan his ring. Poetic justice!!!

We just need the missing piece for the title... AKME need to get the job done

Once again, I was wrong. I'm super happy about that.

He was never this good, not until this year, at age 32. He has been an astonishing acquisition.

I think his production is sustainable because:
- He's on a hot shooting streak, but shooting midrange jumpers and going to the line have always been a huge part of his game
- He has a ton of spacing to do his midrange magic, as he's the only player on this roster who operates there being floor-spaced by Zach, Lonzo, and Vooch
- Because of the scoring threat of Zach, Vooch, and hopefully Coby, he should be able to go 1-on-1 all night long and do his thing
- He's a pretty good playmaker too, so he can always make the right play if teams decide to double him
- He might not even be matched up with the best defender on the other team - again because we have Zach who commands that attention

He might not average 30 per game for the season, but no reason to think he can't keep doing what he's been doing on this team.

Derozan arguably has been the team’s MVP. When we needed a bucket, he got it. Love having him on this team. His skill set perfectly aligns with Zach, Vuc, and Lonzo.

WOW

Who IS that guy?

He's the 3rd leading scorer in the NBA - that's who-

1 Kevin Durant 29.6
2 Stephen Curry 28.1
3 DeMar DeRozan 26.9


Dude looks like a rejuvinated happy player. Making a lot of fans in this city nightly.

I didn't get to see him a ton in TOR so I can't say I really understood his game. Most of my DeRozan experience was watching him brick huge shots in TOR vs CLE playoff games.

Lakers had to be watching him, esp Pelinka wondering if they should have signed him.
I wonder if they ever made contact and considered an offer. Instead they trade for Westbrook and owe him more than 81 million for 2 years!

We know he would have liked to play at home, if they called and made him as great offer he would be a Laker.

I wonder if AK called with that huge offer and they just blew him away.
Players want to be wanted and that was a big commitment from us.

I mean every national podcaster and NBA expert railed us on this offer and called it a massive over pay.

Dude is starting the ASG.
Zach, Lonzo and DeMar are all gonna be on that squad.

ATRAIN53 wrote:WOW

Who IS that guy?

He's the 3rd leading scorer in the NBA - that's who-

1 Kevin Durant 29.6
2 Stephen Curry 28.1
3 DeMar DeRozan 26.9


Dude looks like a rejuvinated happy player. Making a lot of fans in this city nightly.

I didn't get to see him a ton in TOR so I can't say I really understood his game. Most of my DeRozan experience was watching him brick huge shots in TOR vs CLE playoff games.

Lakers had to be watching him, esp Pelinka wondering if they should have signed him.
I wonder if they ever made contact and considered an offer. Instead they trade for Westbrook and owe him more than 81 million for 2 years!

We know he would have liked to play at home, if they called and made him as great offer he would be a Laker.

I wonder if AK called with that huge offer and they just blew him away.
Players want to be wanted and that was a big commitment from us.

I mean every national podcaster and NBA expert railed us on this offer and called it a massive over pay.

Dude is starting the ASG.
Zach, Lonzo and DeMar are all gonna be on that squad.

Supposedly the Lakers were only able to offer the MMLE ($5.9m!) for Derozan. Which is an insult frankly. But they were hoping he’d take a BIG haircut for a shot at a chip. Looks like DDR can get paid and have a shot at a chip here within the next 3 years.

I have been pleasantly surprised at DeRozan’s closing ability- leading the league in 4th Q points. It makes sense to run the offense through him to close games, surrounding him with deadly off ball shooters- Zach, Lonzo, Vuc. Plus his midrange shot is basically available all the time. This all bodes well for the playoffs when games tighten up.

I def saw this from the jump. I was honestly on board with signing demar over lonzo.

Always liked the signing, but I do have a confession of my own.

A couple years ago, after the Toronto Championship I said thst maybe Lavine would ultimately be "our Derozan" . A great scorer, but ultimately a guy you trade away as the piece to get a true difference maker around to which build a championship roster.

I underestimated both guys with that comparison. These are the guys we're gonna build around for the next 3 years at least. And it's not implausible it could lead to a championship (probably need an extra move, but not to displace these guys).

HoopsterJones wrote:Supposedly the Lakers were only able to offer the MMLE ($5.9m!) for Derozan. Which is an insult frankly. But they were hoping he’d take a BIG haircut for a shot at a chip. Looks like DDR can get paid and have a shot at a chip here within the next 3 years.

Yep. Can't do a S+T once you're in the tax.

What an time to be a Bulls fan! This dude is in MVP conversations now. I rescind my opinion that Demar was to signed a fair contract. No. Demar's level of play screams max player. Greatest Bulls free agent acquisition ever? We shall see.

I was never worried about Derozan's contract or offensive fit. The elite mid range/FT drawing/veteran shot creation/veteran playmaking were all things last year's bulls were deficient in and desperately needed. My concern was defense but he is not a Coby level defender (game breaking). He's at best average. Which is completely fine with the big effect he has on the offensive side.

I give him props for leading this team. I guess my concern now is can he keep up his ridiculous mid range shooting?

nekorajo wrote:What an time to be a Bulls fan! This dude is in MVP conversations now. I rescind my opinion that Demar was to signed a fair contract. No. Demar's level of play screams max player. Greatest Bulls free agent acquisition ever? We shall see.

Well that's not hard to beat. This last offseason FA is greatest one in Bulls history.

I never watched much of Derozan prior to this year, so when everyone in the offseason was spouting about spacing issues, I was definitely a little nervous about that. But with that said, it's difficult to help off of Demar. If you give him space to operate, he just gets to his spot and elevates. For all intents and purposes, even if his three point rate falls, he still does space the floor.

I do think most of what Derozan is providing for us is probably sustainable, as everything is in line with his career numbers. The one thing that should regress will be the three point attempt rate and the percentage, but who knows, stranger outliers have happened.

As a side note, Derozan's defense has been bad but it's definitely not as bad as advertised, or at the very least Billy has been doing a great job of hiding some of his weaknesses.

Ive never been a DeRozan fan but he has made me one. I was worried about the fit and his lack of 3 pointer (however i didn't realize he was literally god from mid-range either ) but his veteran poise has been immeasurable.

TIL that DDR thoughts going to the Lakers were a done deal until they made that Westbrook trade. Hindsight is 20/20 but that trade is looking bad for the Lakers. The amount of good talent lost to bring in AD and Westbrook is eye popping. I wonder if the Lakers would have been better off keeping the talent they gave up instead of trading them for AD and Westbrook?