Chicago Bulls dud from win over the Mavs: DeMar DeRozan
In the first part of this list, we introduced a new concept that Vucevic was a stud in a win for the Bulls this season.
Now, we’re going to introduce another new concept for the Bulls this season that the four-time All-Star shooting guard/forward DeMar DeRozan will have some games where he is a dud. That is just a fact of life with any star getting accustomed to a new team. But we’re going to have a lot more nights where DeRozan is a stud compared to when he is a dud.
Let’s just appreciate the fact that DeRozan is a dud for the Bulls in a game where this team is still a winner. This is where having an upgraded bench and a standout starting unit that surrounds him with stars like Vucevic and shooting guard Zach LaVine really helps out.
Nonetheless, this was definitely not the strongest offensive performance for DeRozan after a hot start to the regular season. In this game, DeRozan registered 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists, no steals, one block, and a team-high three turnovers. And he shot 7-of-20 from the field, 0-of-3 from beyond the arc, and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line.
The hope here has to be that this is the down game that DeRozan has before he picks it up for the Bulls in their meeting with the Warriors later in the week. DeRozan did turn the ball over too much in this game, had more field goal attempts than points, and wasn’t very good defensively.
Yet, DeRozan still very much looks to be one of the driving forces for the Bulls to become a postseason contender in the East this season.