Star Chicago Bulls shooting guard/forward DeMar DeRozan is on a run this season like he hasn’t been on in a long time. DeRozan is not only looking like he will garner his fifth career NBA All-Star selection (and potentially his third All-NBA Team selection), he is one of the more notable dark horse MVP contenders this season.
In fact, both DeRozan and star shooting guard Zach LaVine should be considered in the same group in terms of contenders to be All-Star starters and All-NBA Team selections. But it seems like DeRozan is the more likely of the two to stay in contention for the MVP honors.
Granted, it could be tough for DeRozan to hang with the likes of the Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Stephen Curry, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant, in the MVP race given how much usage each of those players commands. But DeRozan has done what he needs to thus far to stick around in the MVP conversation.
Chicago Bulls getting MVP contender-level play out of DeMar DeRozan to start the season
The Bulls originally brought in DeRozan via a sign-and-trade deal with the San Antonio Spurs to be a star presence that could round out a big three along with LaVine and center Nikola Vucevic. He’s filled that role and so much more for the Bulls so far this season. In ways, he has emerged as the face of the Bulls team this season.
It’s hard to say that he hasn’t given his play of late, especially his two game-winning buzzer-beating three-pointers in back-to-back games for the Bulls. DeRozan hit game-winning three-pointers in the dying seconds for the Bulls in eventual wins in back-to-back games against the Indiana Pacers (Dec. 31) and Washington Wizards (Jan. 1), respectively.
You can’t say that DeRozan hasn’t impressed so far. Here’s a look into three NBA stars who DeRozan is showing up this season.