© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
DeMar DeRozan takes pride in charging Chicago with his scoring-playmaking traits
DeMar DeRozan has been spearheading the Chicago Bulls through his much-refined offensive game. At the start of his career, Deebo has been accustomed as a score-first swingman. This has been his trademark and arsenal upon his emergence toward stardom back in his Toronto Raptors days.
But as he landed in the San Antonio Spurs, DeMar obtained a brand new skill set and improved his game under the tutelage of Gregg Popovich. For three seasons, the Spurs’ unselfish culture allowed him to widen his basketball vision and orchestrate his teammates within the hardwood.
Now that he's in the Bulls, DeRozan couldn't be more glad and willing to continue bringing his playmaking for his squad's collective benefit.
Guide through improvement
For the third straight season, DeRozan is once again at the lead for the Bulls in the assists department (5.3). In the team's last seven games, where they adopted a quicker pace and higher ball movement rate en route to gradual winning, he is feasting with 7.2 dimes averages to power Chicago's quick offense.
For DeMar, his improved playmaking paved the way for him not just to unlock his capabilities further but also to maximize his team's potential. He’s fully capable of scoring, but he can spot his teammates in the right position for a dime as well.
“I don’t get caught up in it,” DeRozan said. “I don’t need to go out there and score 30. There will be games where that happens. There will be games where that’s not called for and it’s easy to pass. I just go out there and read whatever the game gives me.”
Key to growth
His floor general role also allowed DeMar to broaden his leadership traits. Through this, he maintained his stand in mentoring the Bulls’ several talents, like the resurging Coby White.
With the team's young guns adapting his ball-sharing influence, Deebo is delighted about what he contributes toward their development.
“That’s the evolution,” DeRozan said. “They’re growing, understanding what’s needed of them, developing. As one of the older guys on the team, I want to bring the best out of them as well because without them, our success wouldn’t mean nothing.”
