DeMar DeRozan recently opened up about the emotional aftermath of his trade from the Toronto Raptors to the San Antonio Spurs in 2018. During his appearance on the ‘Club 520’ podcast, DeRozan reflected on the profound impact the trade had on him, revealing that he went into a period of isolation for two weeks following the news.
“When I got traded, I didn’t talk to nobody for like two weeks. I wasn’t answering my phone. I was mad as hell. I was hurt, I ain’t going to lie. But Pop had called me out of the blue and just was like, ‘Look, we didn’t trade you, we traded for you.’ When I let that sink in, I was like, ‘Damn, he got a point.’”
The trade, which sent DeRozan to the Spurs in exchange for Kawhi Leonard, was a shock to many, especially given DeRozan’s deep connection to Toronto. He had been the face of the Raptors franchise, a player who had publicly committed to bringing success to the team and had just signed a long-term deal with them. For DeRozan, the trade felt like a betrayal, and the emotional toll was immense.
DeRozan’s relationship with the Raptors and the city of Toronto had been more than just a professional affiliation; it was personal. He was drafted by the Raptors in 2009 and had spent nine seasons with the team, becoming their all-time leading scorer. His loyalty to the city and the franchise was well-known, making the trade all the more painful.
During this difficult time, it was Spurs coach Gregg Popovich who reached out to DeRozan, offering words that ultimately helped him begin to process the situation. Popovich’s words helped shift DeRozan’s perspective, reminding him of his value as a player and what he could bring to his new team in San Antonio.
Though the transition was difficult, DeMar DeRozan eventually embraced his new role with the Spurs. His time in San Antonio became an important chapter in his career, where he continued to evolve as a player and leader. But those initial weeks of silence and reflection were a testament to just how much the trade had affected him, both personally and professionally.
DeMar DeRozan Gets Real On Facing LeBron James
DeMar DeRozan has never shied away from admitting the immense challenge of facing LeBron James, especially during his prime years in the Eastern Conference. On a recent episode of the ‘Club 520’ podcast, DeRozan got candid about the daunting task of trying to beat LeBron in the playoffs, a feat that seemed almost impossible during the 2010s.
DeMar DeRozan on LeBron James:
"Yeah, that motherf***er was impossible to beat… It was no other way around.” 😅
(via @club520podcast) pic.twitter.com/A3KsDfK91J
— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) August 27, 2024
DeRozan, who was a key player for the Toronto Raptors during those years, frequently found his playoff hopes dashed by James. Despite putting together some of the best seasons in Raptors history, DeRozan and his teammates were repeatedly eliminated by LeBron-led teams, both during his time with the Miami Heat and later with the Cleveland Cavaliers. James’ dominance in the Eastern Conference was so profound that he led his teams to eight consecutive NBA Finals from 2011 to 2018.
Jeff Teague, another player who experienced the same frustration, shared his own sobering experiences. Teague revealed that he never won a playoff game against LeBron, going 0-16 across multiple series.
LeBron’s reign in the East was nearly mythical, characterized by his incredible consistency and dominance. His combination of scoring, playmaking, and leadership made him a nearly unbeatable force, particularly in the playoffs. For DeRozan, Teague, and many others, LeBron was the insurmountable obstacle that defined an era in the Eastern Conference.
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