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Longtime Chicago Bulls insider says DeMar DeRozan ranks in the top five best midrange scorers of all time
There are plenty of lethal scorers in NBA history. While some, like Shaquille O'Neal, have done most of their damage inside the shaded lane, some, like Stephen Curry, have made a living beyond the arc. However, there is one area of the court that often goes overlooked—the midrange game.
In today’s NBA, where three-point shooting dominates, it’s easy to forget those silky smooth jump shots from inside the arc. For DeMar DeRozan, it’s an essential part of his offensive arsenal. DeRozan has been a consistent scorer throughout his career, averaging over 21 points per game in his career.
And while he may not be known for his three-point shooting or flashy dunks like some of his counterparts, DeRozan has established himself as one of the best midrange scorers in the league. To that extent, longtime Bulls insider Sam Smith believes Deebo is in the top five regarding midrange scorers in the NBA.
Top five
Smith has seen a lot of Bulls action in his day. From Michael Jordan—who he believes is the best midrange scorer of all time—to Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler, Smith has witnessed some of the most talented midrange scorers in the game. So, for him to put DeRozan in the top five is high praise, indeed.
“DeMar has to be top five perhaps all-time the way not only he gets his shot but everyone knows the fakes are coming and can’t stop fouling him. What a delight it’s been to watch him and especially now that he’s back lately after a bit of a drought to making the big closing plays,” Smith said in a recent mailbag session.
Elite company
Smith also mentioned the Phoenix Suns’ superstar Kevin Durant as another player who torches opponents from the midrange. At 7 feet tall with a nearly 7-foot wingspan, Durant’s ability to create his shot and shoot over defenders makes him nearly unstoppable from midrange.
“Though Kevin Durant has three-point range, he probably is actually more a midrange guy, and in the midrange is as deadly as DeRozan for a different reason. DeMar has more moves and shakes and feints while no one is tall enough to deny Durant,” Smith shared.
“Going back a few years you’d have to add Dirk to the conversation. Midrange assassin. But before that, there were snipers in previous eras like Jerry West, who was Mr. Clutch, after all, and the league’s symbol, George Gervin, the always overlooked Alex English, and some will mention Kobe and Bird,” Smith continued.
