"It's a privilege to be trusted in those moments" - DeMar DeRozan says of having the ball in his hands when the game is on the line

The Bulls know whose time it is when the seconds dwindle, and the game hangs in the balance.

© Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

While a lot of players on the Chicago Bulls stepped up, it was still star wingman DeMar DeRozan who tied the bow on the L they handed to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. Still as reliable as ever in crunchtime, Deebo scored 11 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter in the Bulls thrilling 118-113 win.

Loving those moments

DeRozan has earned a reputation for being one of the league’s most lethal weapons in crunch time. The veteran doesn’t hesitate to take and make shots when the game hangs in the balance, and he showed that again versus the Hawks, scoring eight of the team’s last nine points, including this gorgeous finger roll layup that came off a series of shifty moves to shed Jalen Johnson’s defense.

This move by demar derozan for game is nasty 🤯🤯🤯 double shimmy to a pump at the elbow pic.twitter.com/qoGKFUqnuQ

— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) December 27, 2023

“It’s everything (still being able to close like that). I always remember being a kid pouring water on my head, acting like I was sweating doing moves, falling back on the bed, shooting imaginary jump shots. Just the kid in me. I love those moments,” DeRozan said.

A privilege to be trusted

While some may cower at the thought of having the ball in their hands with the game on the line, DeRozan thrives in those high-pressure situations. He sees it as a privilege and an opportunity to showcase his skill and leadership on the court.

“It’s a privilege to be trusted in those moments, so you try to take it all in. Those guys look to me to close out the game. Sometimes not necessarily scoring, but playmaking and trying to make the right decisions. I know when they give me the look, it's time for me to do my part,” DeRozan added.

Clutch bucket.@NBCSChicago | @DeMar_DeRozan pic.twitter.com/nfthmyQJ8X

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 27, 2023

DeMar DeRozan is the lone Chicago Bull to make it to the latest edition of the Top-50 player rankings