DeMar DeRozan had a magnificent debut season for the Chicago Bulls. His contributions helped the team become a playoff team after years, even though injuries ruined their continuity through the season. DeRozan was in MVP conversations after the first few months of the season due to his incredibly consistent play.
DeRozan is arguably the best mid-range scorer in the modern NBA, actively looking to score out of that spot on the court. He is also one of the best isolation scorers in the league. This is very rare, considering analytics actively discourage mid-range shots. DeRozan has proven the numbers wrong, having made the most clutch shots in the NBA since 2012, with 64 made shots.
This fact was brought to DeRozan’s attention by Draymond Green, who had DeMar over as a guest on his podcast. After revealing to DeMar that he leads the NBA in clutch shot-making since 2012, he asked whether the Bulls forward could name the other 4 players on the list with him.
.@DeMar_DeRozan has the most clutch shots made since 2012
…but can he name the rest of the Top 5? pic.twitter.com/mgx6NXmatK
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) July 28, 2022
Draymond: “You have the most clutch shot-makes in the NBA since 2012. Who are the next 4?
DeMar: “Steph?”
Draymond: “Actually number 2, with 62 by the way. You got 64.”
DeMar: “Dame?”
Draymond: “Correct, Dame has 61. There’s 2 more. They play on the same team.
DeMar: “KD and Kyrie?
Draymond: “Nah.”
DeMar: “Oh wait, it’s gotta be Bron and Russ.”
Draymond: “Russ got 61 as well, Bron got 55.”
DeMar put on clinical performances last season with multiple game-winning buzzer-beaters for the Bulls. While he isn’t the best shooter in the league, he scores with remarkable efficiency in the clutch and these numbers reflect it.
The players that DeMar leads are remarkable as well. Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard are two of the best shooters in the league, while LeBron James always has had a heavy load at the end of games. Russell Westbrook’s inclusion may surprise people, but the timeframe includes his prime years, including the years in OKC without Kevin Durant.
