- DeMar DeRozan thinks he doesn’t have to change his game
- The star pointed out that he does attempt 3PT shots when they are available
- DeRozan is one of the best midrange scorers in the league
In recent years, we have seen the NBA as a whole move towards a pace and space style, and teams are attempting more 3PT shots than ever. However, there are still some players that can be effective without a high volume of 3PT shots. One of those players is DeMar DeRozan, who some consider to be the best player on the Chicago Bulls. He is a midrange master, attempting the most midrange field goals last season at 670, and converting them at a 47.3% clip.
There is no doubt that throughout the years, DeMar DeRozan has received a lot of criticism for his heavy reliance on the midrange, and not attempting enough 3PT shots. Recently, we saw DeMar DeRozan clap back at the detractors when speaking to Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.
“I don’t have to do nothing,” DeRozan said. “Thirty-(eight) people scored more points than me in NBA history. I’m not sitting up here saying I don’t need to shoot 3s. But with that, I don’t make it feel like I’ve got to go out every single night and shoot 10 3s. I don’t feel that way. I still try to stay within the confines of being great at what I’m great at. When it’s 3s there, I take them. It’s not like I don’t take them.”
It is true that DeMar DeRozan is a prolific scorer, and it is understandable that he doesn’t want to change the approach that has made him an All-NBA-level player. With that being said, it is often good for players to be as versatile as possible, and if DeRozan were to develop a 3PT shot, he would be nearly unstoppable as a scorer. This past season, DeRozan only attempted 1.9 3PT shots per game, only making them at a 32.4% clip.
This past season, DeMar DeRozan averaged 24.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game while shooting 50.4% from the field. He has aged very well as a player, and it is quite possible he will have another elite season next year.
DeMar DeRozan Has Been Compared To Kobe Bryant
It is a well-known fact that DeMar DeRozan idolized Kobe Bryant growing up, and that clearly shows in the way he approaches the game of basketball. Joel Embiid once lauded DeMar DeRozan’s play, noting that his footwork reminds him of Kobe Bryant.
“Really good player. I always thought he was underrated, the way he plays… footwork kind of reminds me of Kobe. Just the footwork and the tough shots that he takes… I’ve always been a fan.”
Though DeRozan obviously isn’t as good as Bryant, he is an elite player in his own right. Hopefully, we see him win a championship before he retires, and he certainly has the ability to be a complementary piece on a championship team.
DeMar DeRozan Might Leave The Chicago Bulls After This Season
As of right now, DeMar DeRozan is in the last year of his contract with the Chicago Bulls. There is a chance that he will leave the team in 2024 free agency, especially if they underperform this season. The team failed to make the 2023 playoffs, and their veteran stars are now a year older.
If DeMar DeRozan were to leave the Chicago Bulls, there are a number of teams where he could be a difference-maker and help them win a championship. It is time for him to be the No. 2 or a No. 3 option on a contending team, and we’ll see where he ends up in the future.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
