The most commendable player of the season is undoubtedly Demar DeRozan. As a traditional point guard, he has never been a player favored by the team and fans, even if he has a very good mid-range shooting and breakthrough ability, but in the current era of three-point king, DeRozan is not so pleasing. Joining the Bulls this season can be said to be the second spring of DeRozan's career, and he is currently leading the team to the first place in the East as the team boss.
DeRozan had only been with the Raptors and Spurs before joining the Bulls, and in both teams, he was the absolute core management of the team and was willing to strengthen him. However, his performance in the playoffs has been unstable, because he does not have the ability to score three points, and he agrees to be limited in the playoffs. Whether on the Raptors or Spurs, DeRozan didn't do as well as he does today. Last season he averaged just 21.6 points per game, but this season he averaged 28.1 points per game and shot 51.7 percent from the field. He is also currently the proper leader of the Bulls.
During the 8 seasons spent with the Raptors, DeRozan was basically able to lead the team to the playoffs and achieve good results. But he still couldn't win the championship, and before being traded by the Raptors, his goal was to be able to play with the Raptors until he retired. The ideal is beautiful, but the reality is cruel. After several consecutive seasons of losing to james-led Cavaliers, the Raptors dumped him and traded DeRozan in exchange for Leonard, one of the league's top small forwards at the time. In fact, the Raptors' trade was a success, helping Leonard win the first championship in team history in leonard's first season, which also put DeRozan in an embarrassing situation.
He was abandoned by the Raptors, abandoned by the Spurs, and the traditional guard has no market? Joining new teams averaged 28+5+5 superstars per game. The Spurs were forced to choose DeRozan because of Leonard and management problems, rather than really wanting to build a team with DeRozan as the core. In the Spurs' three seasons, DeRozan did not have a lot of brilliant performances, which can only be said to be decent. Because of the lack of three-point ability, it was also disliked by the Spurs management.
In the offseason last season, DeRozan was not a sought-after player, and the Bulls were forced to leave DeRozan alone. The Lakers chose the former in Westbrook and DeRozan. The reason is also very simple, that is, he is reluctant to swallow DeRozan's three-year contract. Judging from the performances this season, Westbrook and DeRozan are no longer players of the same level. DeRozan averaged 28.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game to lead the team to 38 wins and 21 losses and the Heat tied for first place in the East. Westbrook's performance is very struggling, averaging 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game, but his efficiency is low, and the Lakers have only achieved a record of 27 wins and 31 losses, ranking ninth in the West. What's more, Westbrook has earned $44.21 million this season, while DeRozan has only $26 million in annual salary. I don't know if the current Lakers management will regret not choosing DeRozan.
DeRozan's outstanding performance this season also made him an All-Star starter, which is also a testament to the fact that traditional shooting guards can play well in today's league. DeRozan's growth is also visible to the naked eye, from the previous poor feel will only shoot from the middle of the shot to this season's breakthrough points to organize the attack, he now has the taste of Kobe. I have to say that the Bulls only used a 3-year, 81.9 million contract to sign an All-Star starter.
As a dark horse team this season, the Bulls also made a lot of reinforcements in the offseason last season, and the current team lineup is very luxurious. DeRozan +Ravin + Wichevic's 3 All-Star starter is also the envy of other teams. In addition, role players Ball, Kobe White, and Caruso have also performed very well this season. It can only be said that the bulls' operations were very successful in the offseason last season, with deRozan and Lavine mainly responsible for the attack and Ball in charge of the organization. And the inside line with top center forwards like Vucevic is also very secure.
The Raptors and Spurs, who once abandoned DeRozan, have not had a good time this season, the Raptors are currently 32 wins and 25 losses in the East, ranking seventh, and entering the playoffs is not a big problem, but it is undoubtedly a fantasy to win the championship. Not to mention the Spurs, who, without draft picks and young talented players, have so far finished 11th in the West with just 23 wins and 36 losses this season. The Western Division, which was under intense competitive pressure, was largely out of the playoffs. The Lakers, who chose Westbrook and abandoned DeRozan, also received punishment for their wrong decision. A player like DeRozan who doesn't talk much is really likable, and hopefully he can continue to be in such a good competitive state and bring us more surprises in the next game of the season.