DeMar DeRozan is So Much More Than a Fun Story

DeMar DeRozan started the game 1-6.

Not until the 7:36 mark in the second quarter on Monday night did the All-Star starter hit his second shot. Then, his third … fourth … fifth … sixth … and seventh. He scored 10 points in 1:46, which somehow only proved to be his second-most impressive scoring burst of the game.

When the final frame came around, the NBA’s leading 4th quarter scorer did what his title suggests. DeRozan rattled off 15 points in under 5 minutes to start the 4th quarter against his former team. He went on to shoot 8-9 in the final 12 minutes with 19 points. The Bulls walked off the floor with a double-digit margin of victory and their fourth-straight win. DeRozan walked off the floor with his third 40-point game of the season and a history-making performance.

DeRozan has surpassed the 35-point threshold in six-straight games (and the 30-point threshold in seven-straight games). He is now the only player in Chicago Bulls franchise history not named Michael Jordan to string together such a stretch (h/t K.C. Johnson). Considerably more impressive, his ability to drop at least 35 points in six-straight games behind at least a 50 percent field goal percentage ties Wilt Chamberlain for the longest such streak in NBA history, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Yes, you read that right. No player has put together a stretch this dominant and this efficient since the 7’1″ Hall of Famer in the early 1960s. And, to be sure, DeRozan isn’t just shooting right around 50 percent over these past six games, the NBA’s 5th-leading scorer has averaged a ridiculous 61.0 percent field goal percentage to go along with his 38.7 points per game.

“Great players – many of them – can score by taking a truckload of shot,” head coach Billy Donovan said after DeRozan’s 40-point peformance. “To me what’s so impressive is the efficiency in which he’s doing it. His shooting percentages are mind-boggling.”

The season DeRozan has put together is no longer just a “fun story.” Sure, we can chuckle at preseason articles and re-share clips of a painfully proven-wrong ESPN panel until the final final buzzer sounds. But – even then – we’re highlighting the silliness of the past instead of the excellency of the present. The story is no longer about what people said DeRozan couldn’t do but strictly about what DeRozan is doing. And what he’s doing is playing basketball as well as anyone in the NBA.

If the 32-year-old was not a bonafide MVP candidate before, he has to be now. The recent dominance has vaulted DeRozan up to a career-high 27.9 points to go along with 5.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game. He currently leads the NBA in total points scored, and his 121.1 points per shot attempt ranks in the league’s 90th percentile, per Cleaning the Glass. If we go ahead and consider him a guard – which is technically what he’ll be listed as come All-Star Weekend – we can also say DeRozan is the first player since Michael Jordan to average at least 27.9 points on less than two 3-point shot attempts per game (h/t StatMuse).

To be sure, it’s not this recent stretch or the specific points scored that make DeRozan special, it’s how he gets those points and how he uses that ability to win games. The opposing defense knows exactly the shot DeRozan is hoping to take. He shoots 70 percent of his field-goal attempts in the midrange, which is the most of any player in the NBA, per Cleaning the Glass. Yet, with a mix of artistic footwork, expert ballhandling, and pristine timing, he has turned a shot 15-feet from the rim into a layup. Then, as defenses collapse on him over the course of the game hoping to find an answer, it’s DeRozan’s passing that arguably leaves the opponent asking more questions.

Over the last month, DeRozan is 9th in the NBA in total assists and second in total 4th-quarter assists. To be sure, he’s played more games than some thanks to the Bulls’ re-worked schedule, but it’s still indicative of his playmaking prowess that has also made the Bulls such a lethally clutch team.

“To be honest, I love getting hot for the simple fact that I don’t have to keep shooting,” DeRozan said on Monday night. “I can draw their attention and get other guys shot. That’s kind of my approach to the 4th quarter. Be aggressive, score – whether it’s get to the free-throw line or get to my spot – make the defense make a decision. And, from there, I can pick them apart with the passing.”

See, that is what makes an MVP. DeRozan is aware that what he can offer pushes the team to an entirely new level. He uses his individual strength to put the collective group in a position to succeed during the game’s biggest moments. We saw this on full display against the very head coach that helped him reach this new height, as DeRozan assisted on two dagger shots from Nikola Vucevic and Coby White in the final 1:53 against the Spurs.

“It’s not just points,” DeRozan said. “It’s just the comfort of being the player that I am in my 13th year. The confidence, the feel, the teammates that I have, the organization. Just taking heed to that, that’s one thing that sits with me well – not just the scoring. I’ve been a scorer. For me, it’s just being able to be free and play at a high level still.”

All of this and more is what goes into making DeRozan one of the NBA’s purest winning players we’ve watched this season, and Mike Beuoy – who provides some fascinating sports analytics on Twitter – shared a win probability metric that illustrates just that.

Take a look:

Again, we’re no longer talking about a “fun story;” we’re talking about an MVP campaign. DeRozan has been one of the most impactful and dominant players in the NBA this season, and we need to look no further than the previous six games to see just that. But, hey, feel free to look further. The whole thing is pretty darn special.

written by

Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

more bulls news

Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 125, Pacers 99 – March 27, 2024

I got to be honest, I'm even more upset about the Washington Wizards' loss. If the Chicago Bulls played like they did tonight, they would have beaten that depleted Wizards team by 40. This was a locked-in group from the...

Javonte Green Makes Bulls Return… Immediately Does Awesome Stuff

Javonte Green has officially made his Chicago Bulls debut ... again. The 30-year-old signed with the organization via a 10-day hardship deal on March 22. Injuries to Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Julian Phillips paved the way for...

WATCH: Alex Caruso Snatches Rookie Ben Sheppard’s Ankles

Alex Caruso will always be known for his defense capabilities, but he's showing a lot more than that this season. The veteran guard is averaging double-digit points for the first time in his career. A big part of that has...

Draymond Green Ejected Less Than 4 Minutes Into Game Against Orlando

Draymond Green was at it again on Wednesday night. Out East to take on the Orlando Magic, the Golden State Warriors watched Paolo Banchero bulldoze Andrew Wiggins to the rim early in the first quarter. As Banchero high-fived his teammates...

Pre-Gamin’: Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls (7:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

Everything was awful on Tuesday. Be Better. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1772971933161705610?s=20 Game Info Indiana Pacers (41-32) at Chicago Bulls (34-38) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Coby White Alex Caruso Ayo Dosunmu...

Around the Association: Caitlin Clark Gets Big(3) Offer, Knicks Getting Help, Lakers OT Thriller, More

It's hard to believe we have less than three weeks remaining in the NBA's regular season, and we should be in for some real drama down the stretch. The Knicks have plenty to play for in their remaining 11 games...

WHOA: NCAA Looking to Ban Prop Betting on All College Athletes

As the NCAA men's basketball tournament gears up for the Sweet Sixteen, the college sports world received some big news. On Wednesday morning, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that NCAA president Charlie Baker wants to officially ban prop betting on college...

NBA Playoffs Update: Several Races Are Still Undecided

The NBA season is winding down. We have some awesome races for the NBA Playoffs to keep an eye on in the final 2+ weeks of the season. The top seed in the West is still up for grabs in...

Alex Caruso’s Status in Question for Matchup with Pacers

The Chicago Bulls might be without their best defensive player against the best offensive team in the NBA. Not great! The latest injury report lists Alex Caruso as "questionable" for Wednesday night's meeting with the Indiana Pacers. Caruso has been...

Needing a Win, One More with the Pacers, Alex Caruso Guards Everyone, and Other Bulls Bullets

*scratches long, disheveled beard and grabs a piece of chalk* *crosses out another game on the cave wall* *sits back on ground, grabs knees, rocks back and forth* Nine more games. Nine more games. Nine more games. Look, I want...

Latest News

Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The Los Angeles Chargers enter the offseason with a new era dawning. After a disappointing season, they landed a marquee hire in Jim Harbaugh, fresh off his national championship win with Michigan. Hailed as the top coaching prospect, Harbaugh brings a...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

Rangers vs. Cubs Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Texas Rangers (0-0) begin their 2024 season with a home game against the Chicago Cubs (0-0) on Thursday, with first pitch at 7:35 PM ET.The Rangers will give the nod to Nathan Eovaldi versus the Cubs and Justin Steele.Rangers...

Best NBA Prop Bets for Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Boston Celtics versus the Atlanta Hawks is a game to catch on a Thursday NBA slate that includes two thrilling contests.Interested in NBA player prop bets for today's games? This article includes NBA player props for every matchup, so...

UNC vs Alabama Predictions and Odds: March Madness Best Bets

We have a great matchup in the Sweet 16 between (1) North Carolina and (4) Alabama. Let's break down the odds, ATS records, and more for UNC vs Alabama as March Madness continues. Read More: Today's schedule and upset picks...

Seattle Seahawks Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The Seattle Seahawks turn the page on a historic era as they enter the 2024 season without Pete Carroll at the helm for the first time since 2010. Carroll's impact on the franchise is undeniable, crafting a period of sustained...

Who Is In The Sweet 16? Updated Bracket, Odds to Win, and More

It has been a great March Madness so far and we have more great matchups in the Sweet 16. Check out what teams are in the Sweet 16, odds, and more as the college basketball season rolls on. Latest March...

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Today’s March Madness Schedule: Updated Bracket, TV Channels for Every Game

The Sweet 16 is here as March Madness brings us some great matchups tonight! Check out today's March Madness schedule along with game times, TV channels, and more as the college basketball season's biggest games continue. The Sweet 16 Begins...

2024 MLB Mock Draft: Opening Day Mock Draft Projections

Happy Opening Day! As the new baseball season begins, and hope is present among most fanbases, why not take a look at a new 2024 MLB Mock Draft? Various mock drafts meticulously analyze potential picks, emphasizing the abundance of talent...

more bulls news