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"It's everything to me" - DeMar DeRozan speaks about how much pride he takes in delivering in the clutch
In case anyone forgot just how good DeMar DeRozan is when the game hangs in the balance, he’s given a masterclass in the last three games. He led the Chicago Bulls to a perfect 3-0 in that stretch and averaged 15 points on 66 percent shooting in the fourth quarters of those matches.
DeRozan’s heroics pulled the Bulls out of the fire on Thursday to lead them to a scintillating 125-122 win over the Golden State Warriors. It was his and-one that put the Bulls ahead for good, as he scored a midrange jumper while getting fouled after he got the Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga to bite on his shot fake. The former USC Trojan added two free throws with 2.1 seconds remaining to help seal the Bulls’ victory.
It means everything
Speaking to NBC Sports Chicago, Deebo detailed how much he values being in these moments and delivering in them. He added that everything he works on, both from the physical and mental aspect of basketball, comes to a head in crunchtime when the ball is in his hands, and the fate of the Bulls lies in his hands.
“It’s everything to me. As much as I study and watch the game of basketball, understanding runs, understanding opportunities, understanding spots, having self-confidence, everything comes into play in those moments. Those windows of opportunity, you try to relish them,” the 15-year veteran said.
“That (Kings game) was a game where we did it as a team and I tried to do my best come the fourth quarter. Coming in at halftime, I had to hear it from my teammates, only shooting one time. Just pulling that out meant a lot.”
Pays attention to the minute details
Deebo lives and breathes basketball, and he knows that success on the court comes from paying attention to the smallest details. Whether studying film of opposing teams or perfecting his footwork in practice, all these come into play when he takes over in the game’s clutch minutes.
“I’ve watched the game so much. I might see little opportunities from watching someone else play, how they’re able to get a bucket or get to the free-throw line or get to a spot. Or how defense might play late in the game. You pick and choose those moments. I watch so much basketball. And I watch so many of those late-game situations and getting to spots. It keeps me anxious to want to be in those moments again,” DeRozan added.
