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DeMar DeRozan is a clear-cut contender for the Clutch Player of the Year award
If the word “clutch” happens to have a picture beside it in the dictionary, you might see a photo of DeMar DeRozan. The Chicago Bulls’ star player has proven himself time and time again to be one of the most reliable and dominant players in clutch situations.
This season, his performances with the game on the line have been crucial for a Bulls squad that aims to make it to the Play-In Tournament for a second straight season.
Most clutch wins in the NBA
The Bulls aren’t that much better than they were last season. Injuries have ravaged their lineup, leaving them without two of their best players—All-Star Zach LaVine and talented forward Patrick Williams. Yet, here they are, clinging to the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference, thanks largely to DeRozan, who constantly elevates his game when the result hangs in the balance.
“No team relies on what happens in the clutch more than the Bulls do. Chicago has 31 wins all season. That's the 19th most in the NBA, but they have the most clutch wins in basketball with 22. DeRozan was on the floor for 20 of them, and Chicago has won his clutch minutes overall by 72 points,” Sam Quinn wrote for CBS Sports.
“The Bulls are a generally mediocre team that is probably going to sneak into the Play-In tournament because of DeRozan's late-game heroics (and... well... the truly horrific bottom of the East.)”
Fellow closer
Chicago is fortunate enough to have two players of the same ilk. While DeRozan is clearly the Bulls’ closer, young guard Coby White is steadily developing into a reliable option in crunch time.
In fact, he has hit multiple game-winning shots this season and has gained the trust of his teammates and coaching staff. While any team would rather win comfortably in every game, the Bulls are pulling out wins out of the fire thanks to their closers.
“Coby White ranks 16th in the NBA with 80 total clutch points, and he leads the entire NBA with a clutch plus-minus (plus-91) while also leading the NBA in clutch assists (27),” Quinn added.
