DeMar DeRozan has never been a serious MVP candidate. In his first five seasons in the league, he averaged just 16 points per game and shot under 40%. However, this season is different as he’s quickly turning into one of the top scorers in basketball. It should be noted that other players have made similar scoring streaks like Jordan (8 games) or Kobe Bryant (14). Despite being an underdog at times, DeRozan has had himself a career year so far and deserves to keep winning player of the month honors for January/February.
DeMar DeRozan is a 27 year old professional basketball player. He has been in the league since 2009 and has scored an average of 22 points per game. He is currently averaging 34.2 points per game, which places him above Michael Jordan’s career scoring record of 33.1 points per game and just behind Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 38.4 points per game. Read more in detail here: how old is demar derozan.
It’s a rather impressive accomplishment for a Chicago Bulls player to join Michael Jordan in the team record books. DeMar DeRozan has outdone Michael Jordan. As a result, he continues to make a stronger case for NBA MVP.
DeRozan is having his best scoring season of his career. His incredible run could not have come at a better time for a Bulls club that has been plagued by injuries and will now be without Zach LaVine until at least the All-Star break. The veteran swingman has lifted Chicago to the top of the Eastern Conference rankings on his shoulders.
DeRozan’s midrange and post-heavy scoring approach this season resembles Jordan’s in many ways. On Monday, he made an unequivocal MVP statement while showing his previous club, the San Antonio Spurs, the magnitude of his Jordan-like scoring powers.
DeMar DeRozan scorched the Spurs for 40 points and controlled the fourth quarter.
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On Monday, DeRozan faced up against his old colleagues as the Bulls visited the Spurs at the United Center. He reminded a youthful San Antonio team of his powers and demonstrated the scoring prowess that earned him All-Star honors.
On 16-of-24 shooting, the 32-year-old scored 40 points while also handing out seven assists and snagging three rebounds.
DeRozan was able to choose his locations at will. He climbed over Spurs defenders on a regular basis and utilized a variety of pump-fakes to create space or go to the foul line. DeRozan found open shots or calmly worked his way into the restricted area as San Antonio threw doubles at him in the post. The Compton native also scored in breakaway and drove to the hoop, including a vicious slam over Spurs shot-blocker Jakob Poeltl.
Most importantly, DeRozan had a terrific finish. In the fourth quarter, he almost outscored the Spurs by himself, scoring 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting. The Bulls recovered a six-point deficit and cruised to an 11-point victory because to DDR’s downpour of jumpers from everywhere. All season, that closing skill has been on show. According to NBA.com, DeRozan is second in fourth-quarter scoring average behind Milwaukee Bucks star and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and leads all players in total points in the fourth quarter.
After the game, the Bulls were just a half-game behind the Miami Heat for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. DeRozan, on the other hand, was in rarefied air.
With his current scoring run, DeRozan surpasses Michael Jordan.
Last six games for DeMar DeRozan:
35 PTS | 64 FG percent 36 PTS | 68 FG percent 38 PTS | 59 FG percent 45 PTS | 60 FG percent 40 PTS | 67 FG percent 38 PTS | 50 FG percent 35 PTS | 64 FG percent 36 PTS | 68 FG percent
That’s the longest streak of 35-point games on 50% shooting in Bulls history. MJ never did it. pic.twitter.com/h5d4ovgS9B
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 15, 2022
DeMar DeRozan may boast about becoming the Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan.
DeRozan has now scored at least 35 points in each of his last six games, including the thrashing of the Spurs. Since Jordan, that’s the longest stretch of its kind. Between the end of November and the beginning of December in 1986, His Airness scored 35 points in ten consecutive games. Mike scored 35 points in seven straight games in February 1988.
Jordan, on the other hand, did not score as well as DeRozan.
According to StatMuse, DeRozan’s current streak is the longest of 35-point games on at least 50% shooting in Bulls history. In fact, DDR is shooting over 60% from the field during this stretch. That’s utterly phenomenal, given his volume.
DeRozan has been on a tear for quite some time. In February, he’s averaging 35.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists while shooting 64.7 percent true. The five-time All-Star has also taken on a heavier workload this month, averaging 38.6 minutes and denying the Bulls’ need for reinforcements before the trade deadline.
DeRozan will get another opportunity to create history against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. He has a chance to surpass Wilt Chamberlain for the most straight games with 35 points on 50% or better shooting.
It’s all well and well to carve a spit in the record books. However, DeRozan’s unquestionable effect is keeping the injury-plagued Bulls afloat, and he should be named NBA MVP.
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During a game on Feb. 14, 2022, DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls shoots over Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs | Getty Images/Quinn Harris
With each outrageous scoring performance, DeMar DeRozan’s case for NBA MVP strengthens. He also has a compelling story to tell.
DeRozan ranks third in scoring average (27.9 points). He’s seventh in win shares (7.6) and ninth in player efficiency rating (24.7). But this might be the most important stat: According to Mike Beuoy of inpredictable, the Bulls star handily leads all players in win probability added (WPA). DeRozan has an 8.28 WPA mark. The next closest is Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic at 5.34 WPA.
Much of DeRozan’s situation arises from Chicago’s inability to stay healthy throughout the season. Even though the Bulls have been without Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, and Zach LaVine for large stretches of the season, they remain one of the best teams in the East. The team’s success is largely due to DeRozan’s scoring prowess and offensive playmaking.
The MVP field is becoming more crowded. The race is led by Jokic and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, with Giannis Antetokounmpo not far behind. Luka Doncic has also entered the discussion with a bizarre stretch of his own.
Even after joining Michael Jordan in the Bulls’ history books, DeRozan continues to make his case. His outstanding season is deserving of MVP consideration.
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