Official: DeRozan! Player of the Week p69

[meekrab]

He's might be going by what BBRef says. I'm often in total disagreement with their listing of positions. I think they figure it out based on the respective heights of the players on the court a lot the time. Right now, they say DeMar has played 72% of his minutes at PF and 19% at center(!):

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/derozde01.html

I could be wrong about this, but based on the games I've seen he's playing the SF position.

Center and PF have been Vuc, Bradley, Green, Alize, and DDJ. On a rare occasion Caruso or Ball.

Yep he's never played PF for us. Sites are listing him at PF because they are listing Green & Caruso as the SF & SG, Vuc is the center, that makes DDR the PF by default. But we know Green & Caruso guard the PFs not Derozan, and he doesn't play screen for ballhandlers like PFs, he's the one running the P&R. It looks like he averages 9.3 possessions per game running the P&R as a ballhandler, 0 possessions per game running the P&R as the screener.

TBH, he could almost be called the PG because he runs the P&R and initiates the offense more than Lavine or Ball.

Yep position estimate is almost exclusively based on height. For example they have Kevin Durant playing 43% of his minutes at center and Giannis 52% just to name a couple players that it doesn't work very well for.

[Clocian]

It was fun going back and reading the first several pages of this thread.

[sco]

It was fun going back and reading the first several pages of this thread.

Totally! I have to admit I was pretty good, albeit very skeptical that AK could pull it off. It was amazing.

Nabbing DD, Ball and Caruso have been 3 outstanding pickups...and then getting a first + DJJ back for Lauri was frosting!

[Dan Z]

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/demar-derozan-reveals-why-chose-061604865.html

"In my career, I've done did everything other than make the finals yet. So with the experience that I've had, it just felt right and it's something I want to be a part of. To where I was like 'Ok, let's do it.' It took me back to that whole underdog mentality I have had my whole career...Imagine going there and winning in Chicago, oh my god."

[Dan Z]

It was fun going back and reading the first several pages of this thread.

Totally! I have to admit I was pretty good, albeit very skeptical that AK could pull it off. It was amazing.

Nabbing DD, Ball and Caruso have been 3 outstanding pickups...and then getting a first + DJJ back for Lauri was frosting!

I look at those moves and wonder: "Why weren't more teams after those guys?". New Orleans actually downgraded their point guard spot by letting Lonzo go!

But then I think about how glad I am that the Bulls now have a front office that are making good moves. AKME didn't want to wait around for luck in the lottery and that was the right decision IMO.

[BullChit]

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/demar-derozan-reveals-why-chose-061604865.html

"In my career, I've done did everything other than make the finals yet. So with the experience that I've had, it just felt right and it's something I want to be a part of. To where I was like 'Ok, let's do it.' It took me back to that whole underdog mentality I have had my whole career...Imagine going there and winning in Chicago, oh my god."

DeMar DeRozan... Assassin of the Midrange... King of the 4th... Lead us to glory as the chosen one not afraid of the Shadow of the GOAT!!!

[Dan Z]

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/demar-derozan-reveals-why-chose-061604865.html

"In my career, I've done did everything other than make the finals yet. So with the experience that I've had, it just felt right and it's something I want to be a part of. To where I was like 'Ok, let's do it.' It took me back to that whole underdog mentality I have had my whole career...Imagine going there and winning in Chicago, oh my god."

DeMar DeRozan... Assassin of the Midrange... King of the 4th... Lead us to glory as the chosen one not afraid of the Shadow of the GOAT!!!

I always thought the "Shadow of the GOAT" was frustrating. Had the Bulls leaned into their history (for example how the Celtics do it) maybe Chicago would've been a more desirable place to play for free agents? Who knows...it's so long ago and I think we've moved on by now.

As you point out..go Bulls! Go DDR!

[BullChit]

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/demar-derozan-reveals-why-chose-061604865.html

DeMar DeRozan... Assassin of the Midrange... King of the 4th... Lead us to glory as the chosen one not afraid of the Shadow of the GOAT!!!

I always thought the "Shadow of the GOAT" was frustrating. Had the Bulls leaned into their history (for example how the Celtics do it) maybe Chicago would've been a more desirable place to play for free agents? Who knows...it's so long ago and I think we've moved on by now.

As you point out..go Bulls! Go DDR!

Oh I've always hated it myself however it would be amazing if a player like DDR along with Zach led us to #7 after so many superstars turned down the chance to pick up the "Gauntlet"

It would be an amazing narrative.

[Dan Z]

DeMar DeRozan... Assassin of the Midrange... King of the 4th... Lead us to glory as the chosen one not afraid of the Shadow of the GOAT!!!

I always thought the "Shadow of the GOAT" was frustrating. Had the Bulls leaned into their history (for example how the Celtics do it) maybe Chicago would've been a more desirable place to play for free agents? Who knows...it's so long ago and I think we've moved on by now.

As you point out..go Bulls! Go DDR!

Oh I've always hated it myself however it would be amazing if a player like DDR along with Zach led us to #7 after so many superstars turned down the chance to pick up the "Gauntlet"

It would be an amazing narrative.

That would also be amazing because it's a group of players looking to change the narrative on them. All three of the players AKME got in the off-season were undervalued by the league and other players on the team, such as LaVine, still have a stigma to them by some fans (just look at the general board on RealGM).

[SHO'NUFF]

Signing with the Bulls has got to be one of the smartest decisions DDR has made in his career.

[BullChit]

It was fun going back and reading the first several pages of this thread.

The scratching and clawing of the Lauri fans was very humorous indeed haha

[erlim]

Signing with the Bulls has got to be one of the smartest decisions DDR has made in his career.

Kinda weird to think that the talking point about free agents getting more media presence and visibility in Chicago as a large market are kind of being proven true through DDR. People have somehow slept hard on him considering his career. To the point he was ‘the worst free agent signing’ of the off season.

[Wingy]

DeMar DeRozan... Assassin of the Midrange... King of the 4th... Lead us to glory as the chosen one not afraid of the Shadow of the GOAT!!!

I always thought the "Shadow of the GOAT" was frustrating. Had the Bulls leaned into their history (for example how the Celtics do it) maybe Chicago would've been a more desirable place to play for free agents? Who knows...it's so long ago and I think we've moved on by now.

As you point out..go Bulls! Go DDR!

I don’t see this discussed much, but I know I have a post basically saying your lean in thought is exactly what my pitch to Lebron would’ve been back in the day. Not the horrible way we did pitch it (can you fill these shoes? and highlighting actual Jordans iirc....utter ugh).

I would’ve made it about going after LA and Boston’s title count. Being the player to put Chicago on par with those legendary franchises in terms of titles and prestige. Pointing out how they have their long legacies of all time greats, and being the guy that really establishes that tradition here. But we went for flipping blue jeans.

Anyway. As I recall, I was pro the Demar trade, and didn’t think we grossly overpaid. Thought it was worth getting a what I believe I thought was a “close to” all star level player. Ha. Little did I know dude looks like he has multiple years left of unquestionably bonafide all star play in him. He won’t win, but the fact that he’s in the MVP race is incredible.

Speaking of Lebron. I don’t understand why people bag on DD’s playoff performance so hard. Yeah his numbers dipped, and he didn’t deliver the Finals, or a title...but folks do realize he kept running into Lebron when he was at the peak of his powers, right? The guy people dare compare (and I’m ok w/that) to Michael?! Couldn’t get by a “Rushmore” level all timer. You suck!

[Wingy]

...and kudos to the poster who pointed out he has probably put himself in Springfield with this season and another good one or two.

At this point, if he keeps up his current play, and he does it as the Bulls make noise this playoffs (eg - a strong ECF run), I wouldn’t be surprised if this season sticks to voter minds, along with his Raptor career, to be enough to get him there.

[sco]

https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2021/12/28/it-doesnt-matter-how-well-you-guard-demar-derozan/

Only two players average at least 10 field goal attempts per game in tight coverage (aka when a defender is within 2-4 feet of the player): DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Durant. The Bulls forward is averaging a 50.7 percent clip on those shots with Durant right behind at 50.4 percent, per NBA Stats.

DeRozan isn’t trying to be sneaky. If anything, the midrange assassin invites defenders to contest his shot as he attacks the same spots on the floor in relentless fashion. Most players know what DeRozan is going to try to do before he does it, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to stop it, especially when we consider he also shoots the 4th-most free-throws per game at 7.7. This is an ability only the best players have, which is why MVP-candidate Kevin Durant is stationed right next to him when we look at the league’s top contested bucket-makers. I’d also consider this as the ability that explains why DeRozan is the best 4th quarter scorer in the league.

DeRozan has turned himself into a footwork menace. There is no slowing him down or speeding him up. When he fades at the elbow or turns around at the baseline or pulls up at the free-throw line, he looks like he’s relying on a natural instinct. Put a brick wall in front of DeRozan that rises to the rafters, and I might bet money his well-trained mind finds a way to drop in through the net.

[kodo]

Derozan's December:
29.3 ppg 4.3 rpg 5.6 apg
51.5% / 62.5% / 85.1%
59.5% TS
8-0 record

MJ's last December on Chicago:
28.4 ppg 6.9 rpg 3.2 apg
45.2% / 18.8% / 83.1%
53.5% TS
11-3 record

Lavine's been fantastic as well
27.8 ppg 5.0 rpg 6.1 apg
52.9% / 47.7% / 80.4%
65.0% TS
7-2

It's been a while since we had 2 players this good.

[FriedRise]

Derozan's December:
29.3 ppg 4.3 rpg 5.6 apg
51.5% / 62.5% / 85.1%
59.5% TS
8-0 record

MJ's last December on Chicago:
28.4 ppg 6.9 rpg 3.2 apg
45.2% / 18.8% / 83.1%
53.5% TS
11-3 record

Lavine's been fantastic as well
27.8 ppg 5.0 rpg 6.1 apg
52.9% / 47.7% / 80.4%
65.0% TS
7-2

It's been a while since we had 2 players this good.

This league is so stacked. DeMar is doing that but yet there still are 81 players better than him!

[FriedRise]

Read on Twitter

[cool007]

Would love it if Lavine gets the Player of the week and Demar gets the player of the month for last week and last month respectively.

Would make me feel so good and proud.

[RSP83]

Derozan's December:
29.3 ppg 4.3 rpg 5.6 apg
51.5% / 62.5% / 85.1%
59.5% TS
8-0 record

MJ's last December on Chicago:
28.4 ppg 6.9 rpg 3.2 apg
45.2% / 18.8% / 83.1%
53.5% TS
11-3 record

Lavine's been fantastic as well
27.8 ppg 5.0 rpg 6.1 apg
52.9% / 47.7% / 80.4%
65.0% TS
7-2

It's been a while since we had 2 players this good.

I think even us Bulls fans still somewhat underrating what we have in both of them. I think, being a badly run franchise for so long really turns many of us into an extremely cautiously optimistic bunch, even when we have riches in our hands. Those are amazing numbers regardless of who put it up. And the numbers also look good in Team settings. The Bulls' numbers this year show that this is a relatively elite team on both ends, and have elite players on both ends. If our team name is the Brooklyn Nets, and Derozan and Lavine's names are Durant and Harden, and Caruso and Lonzo's names are Thybulle and Marcus Smart, the media would be expecting no less than NBA Finals or Championship.