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DeRozan’s Unselfish Approach Fuels Bulls’ Resurgence
DeMar DeRozan has been a dominant scorer throughout his illustrious 15-year career. However, with the Chicago Bulls, he seems to be willingly taking a back seat, at least initially in games, in favor of a resurgence in ball movement. It’s a strategy that has paid off for the team, as DeRozan asserts his scoring prowess when the game slows down or during crunch time.
“I don’t feel the need to score 30 or 40 points for us to win,” DeRozan explained. “Getting everyone else involved and making that contagious early in the game benefits us all. But when it’s time to slow down and get a bucket, my teammates lean on me to make it happen. It’s a feel we have developed.”
This level of trust in his teammates has had a positive impact on the team’s collective confidence. Patrick Williams, one of the beneficiaries, emphasized DeRozan’s unselfishness and how it keeps defenses honest. “He doesn’t care if you miss or make the shot as long as you shoot it. That’s why he’s been so good. Defenses have to be honest because they know how unselfish he is,” Williams said.
The Bulls’ improved ball movement is evident in their climb out of the basement in assists per game. While they currently rank 29th with 23.1 assists per game, their recent four-game win streak has seen them post season-high assist numbers. This improvement is a result of better shooting and increased chemistry among the players.
Coach Billy Donovan believes there is still room for growth and wants DeRozan to be ahead of the ball for hit-ahead passes on defensive possessions that end with a missed shot. This would allow DeRozan to utilize his playmaking abilities and generate opportunities for himself and his teammates.
DeRozan acknowledges the importance of being ahead of the ball and having it in his hands. He understands that the defense will collapse on him, giving him the chance to find open teammates and create scoring opportunities. He also recognizes that the team’s success is not solely dependent on him, but on the collective effort of the entire team.
While DeRozan’s free-throw shooting has been below his usual standards, he remains confident that it will improve. He feels the pressure from his daughters, who remind him of his promise to not miss free throws. DeRozan has a routine of shooting 100 free throws before leaving the gym at night, putting pressure on himself to be perfect. He is determined to overcome this rough patch and return to his usual high free-throw shooting percentage.
DeRozan’s unselfish approach and willingness to prioritize ball movement have been instrumental in the Bulls’ resurgence. With improved chemistry and better shooting, the team is on an upward trajectory. As DeRozan continues to lead by example, the Bulls are poised for even more growth and success.
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DeMar DeRozan’s Passing Ability Shines as Chicago Bulls Continue Winning Streak
Chicago Bulls’ star player DeMar DeRozan is just 53 points away from surpassing Clyde Drexler on the all-time scoring list. However, it is DeRozan’s exceptional passing ability that has been the highlight of the team’s recent four-game winning streak.
After sitting out the first victory, DeRozan has been averaging an impressive 7.7 assists in the next three games, including two games with a season-high 10 assists. Coach Billy Donovan praised DeRozan’s understanding of the game, his vision, and his smart decision-making on the court.
DeRozan, known for his scoring prowess throughout his illustrious 15-year career, seems to be willingly taking a back seat in the Bulls’ resurgence of ball movement. He focuses on getting his teammates involved early in the game, creating a contagious atmosphere of teamwork. As the game progresses or during crunch time, DeRozan then asserts himself more in terms of scoring.
“I don’t ever feel like I gotta score 30, 40 points for us to win. Getting everybody else involved and making that a contagious thing early in the game is beneficial for us all,” DeRozan stated. “There comes a point in the game where it’s time to slow down and it’s time to get a bucket. That’s where those same guys lean on me to try to make that happen. It’s a feel for us both.”
DeRozan’s trust in his teammates has had a significant impact on the team’s collective confidence. Patrick Williams, one of the beneficiaries of DeRozan’s passing, emphasized how DeRozan’s unselfishness keeps the defense honest and creates opportunities for everyone.
The Bulls’ improved ball movement is evident in their recent performances. They have climbed out of the bottom in assists per game, now ranking 29th with 23.1 per game. The team posted a season-high 32 assists in two of their four consecutive wins, showcasing their improved chemistry and understanding of each other’s playing styles.
Coach Donovan believes there is still room for growth and wants DeRozan to be ahead of the ball for hit-ahead passes on defensive possessions that end with a missed shot. This would allow DeRozan to utilize his playmaking skills and generate scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
DeRozan acknowledged the importance of being ahead of the ball, stating, “Me getting ahead of the ball, having the ball in my hands, I know the defense is going to collapse to me. And it’s on me to find guys. It’s fun being able to find guys, getting guys’ confidence. And it makes my job easier.”
While DeRozan has been struggling with his free-throw shooting recently, shooting at 80.3 percent, he remains confident that it will improve. He has a routine of returning to the Advocate Center at night to practice, putting pressure on himself to be perfect.
“When I come back to shoot at night, I always gotta make 100 free throws before I leave the gym. A lot of times, I don’t count the ones that hit the rim,” DeRozan shared. “It’s more so me putting pressure on myself to be perfect instead of just shooting them. But it ain’t gonna last.”
The Chicago Bulls’ recent success can be attributed to DeMar DeRozan’s exceptional passing skills and his willingness to prioritize team play. As the team continues to build chemistry and improve their ball movement, they are poised for even greater achievements in the future.
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