Presented by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich
With a 65-game minimum now in place for eligibility for major playoff awards and less policing, the NBA is starting to slowly move away from load management.
DeMar DeRozan was on the other end of the line, waiting the entire time.
“I love it,” DeRozan said earlier this week after playing more than 48 minutes in the Chicago Bulls’ double overtime win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. “I love the game. When you’re a kid, you play until your mom screams at you and the street lights come on. Same thing here. You like this. You try to take advantage of these opportunities.
From his preferred mid-range game to his load of minutes, DeRozan has long been a throwback. Yet the fact that a 34-year-old leads the NBA in minutes per game with 37.8 and ranks second in total minutes — just five behind teammate Coby White with 2,193 — – is remarkable. And atypical.
“I respect where he comes from. He has an old school mentality. Line up and play. “I’ve been doing it my whole life. I love the game. I want to be out there as much as I can,” coach Billy Donovan said. “There are things we have to do for him on practice days and film days. But I have great admiration and respect for his mentality. I don’t take him for granted.
Indeed, when it’s said or written about how much the Bulls value DeRozan internally, that’s what it means. Beyond his contributions on the court, which included two All-Star appearances in his first two seasons and averages of 22.7 points and 5.3 assists this season, DeRozan can be counted on on a daily basis.
From his preparation to his personality, he is consistent like a metronome.
“What he was able to do and how he did it, in every facet, whether it was communicating with the guys, being the same guy every day. Anything I need from him, I go to him, I communicate to him and he does everything you ask him to do,” Donovan said. “I appreciate the workload he had to handle.
“It’s not just the workload for him. This is also the role of leadership. It’s a veteran position where guys look up to him. With a lot of young players, he is very willing to dedicate his time and energy to them. He never complains about anything. He views everything as a challenge. And I respect that.
Indeed, from welcoming Patrick Williams, Dalen Terry and Coby White to his legendary offseason workouts to Onuralp Bitim being overcome with emotion by what DeRozan’s recognition for his NBA game meant to him, DeRozan is at the center of all. That’s why the Bulls have said they want to re-sign DeRozan this offseason, possibly before he hits unrestricted free agency on July 1.
While DeRozan’s scoring and usage rate are down from his sublime first two seasons in Chicago, he has quietly attempted 2.8 3-pointers, the second-most in his 14-year career. His percentage of 33.5 over this distance represents his third best mark.
DeRozan also initially attempted to hand over some of his late-game responsibilities to Zach LaVine before succumbing to foot surgery. He has now tried to do the same for white people.
The image of White and DeRozan — in full uniform — breaking up White’s missed 3-pointer late in the Bulls’ late loss at Cleveland on Feb. 14 endures.
DeRozan is averaging the second-most minutes of his career and the most since playing 38.2 per game for Toronto in 2013-14. It was a long time ago.
“I prepare myself for these moments,” DeRozan said. “That’s what I train for in the offseason. And I love hooping.
And the Bulls love DeRozan defending them.
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