"Not being predictable" - DeMar DeRozan on how he’s adjusting his style of play during the Chicago Bulls' recent turnaround

DeRozan said he’s had to adapt his game to what has made the Bulls successful these days.

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The incredible play of point guard Coby White may be the talk of the town in Chicago, but the steady veteran leadership of DeMar DeRozan has steered the Bulls back on the right track this season. Things looked bleak early on, as the Bulls got derailed and stumbled to a 5-14 record.

December, though, has seen the Bulls play a different brand of basketball. And leading that charge has been DeRozan, whose underrated playmaking ability has unlocked the shooting abilities of several of his teammates, namely White, Patrick Williams, Alex Caruso, and Nikola Vucevic.

Passing savant

Known as an elite scorer, especially when the game is on the line, Deebo’s passing skills are just as sublime. He’s put that on full display in December, averaging a career-high 6.8 assists per game this month. 

DeRozan’s court vision and ability to find the open man have been instrumental in the Bulls’ offensive resurgence. He consistently draws double teams and collapses defenses, creating open looks for his teammates on the perimeter or cutting to the basket.

“I’m just reading the defense,” DeRozan said. “Every single night, understanding I’m going to get the best defender, the best game plan on me. And figuring out ways through that, how I can help my teammates get involved and make my job easier. And it’s been working for us,” DeRozan said.

DeMar was CLINICAL against LA.

27 points | 12-16 FG | 7 reb | 9 ast pic.twitter.com/lvpvIAK98Z

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 21, 2023

Hard to cover everyone

There’s no denying the Bulls have got loads of talented players; the issue has always been about cohesion or lack thereof. However, it appears Chicago has found a viable formula for success, and Deebo hopes they’ll sustain this style of play moving forward.

“That’s how we’ve got to play,” DeRozan said.

“Not being predictable. Understanding that we’ve got a group of guys that can go out there, play the right way, score, and it’s hard to guard us when we play that way. So it’s just us having the confidence in one another no matter who is shooting the ball.”

Sorry to hand ya a new career-low, Wemby :/ pic.twitter.com/h4v8Dxejdt

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) December 22, 2023

"I just think our energy has been different" - Nikola Vucevic says of the Chicago Bulls' recent play