DeMar DeRozan, a Chicago Bulls winger, is dissatisfied with way NBA basketball is now played. While most players strive to shoot as many three-pointers as possible, Deebo is pleased with mastering the midrange game. And, while many players like the game’s emotional aspects, such as over-the-top celebrations or trash-talking, DeRozan prefers to keep it low-key.
DeRozan said in an interview after their loss to the Milwaukee Bucks last Friday why he doesn’t like the “extra theatrics” in the NBA.
Big on respect.
The problem was brought to light when the Bucks’ Bobby Portis snatched a rebound away from DeRozan and glared at him while he lay on the ground. Peeved by Portis’ antics, DeRozan pursued him and fouled him hard, leading in a flagrant 1. Following the game, DeRozan expressed his displeasure with anyone who flexes on him.
“I’ve always valued respect in the game,” DeRozan explained.
“I don’t spend the entire game gazing down someone, trying to belittle them. I’m all about competition, doing your own thing, and all that. I refuse to accept anything rude in any form. Because I would never do that to anyone else, stand over someone, or gaze over someone. It’s just my respect for the game. When I believe it’s done to me, I react in a specific way.”
Just play basketball!
Deebo practices what he preaches. Despite his aerial acrobatics and crunchtime flair, he never seeks to shame his opponents. He just goes outside and plays basketball. And this attitude has garnered him the respect of his peers and admirers. DeRozan focuses on playing high-level basketball in a league where trash-talking and showboating are commonplace.
“He did it one time; that’s all it takes for me,” DeRozan said, recalling the play.
“I don’t care who it is; it could be the janitor down the hall. Look at me in a specific way: just play basketball, get the rebound, and play. I’ve never been the type of player that goes all out.”
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The Chicago Bulls are expected to keep DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Williams this offseason.
Fans hoping for the Chicago Bulls to make changes to their roster this offseason may want to moderate their expectations. According to Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, the Bulls are expected to continue with their present roster and re-sign both DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Williams.
More of the same.
The most frequently used term throughout Arturas Karnisovas’ tenure as the Bulls’ chief basketball officer has been “continuity,” and experts believe the pattern will continue this offseason.
“Running it back seems to be a theme for the 28-31 Bulls, a strategy that could continue this summer with DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Williams,” Swartz noted in an email.
DeRozan, who is in the final year of a three-year contract with the Bulls, has previously stated that he is satisfied in Chicago and is prepared to return if his representatives and the organization reach a deal. Swartz indicated that this could be ideal for the veteran winger.
“Given his lack of fit among teams with cap room, DeRozan’s decision to stay in Chicago is logical. Outside of the Philadelphia 76ers or Orlando Magic making a run for the former All-Star, DeRozan’s greatest shot to get paid again may come from the Bulls,” Swartz said.
Williams is a restricted-free agent.
Williams, on the other hand, is a restricted free agent who had planned to sign a lucrative contract before foot surgery sidelined him for the rest of the season. With this scenario in mind, it’s difficult to imagine another team paying a high price for the former fourth-overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft.
“Williams is a restricted free agent, and it’s difficult to picture any team making a large enough offer sheet that Chicago would not match. While we’re still waiting for the 22-year-old to have a breakout season, the Bulls are more likely to see Williams as a late bloomer, similar to Coby White,” Swartz said.
“Even though we were all expecting big changes after Chicago began the season 5-14, this Bulls roster could look quite similar next year as well.”
