How strong is DeMar DeRozan’s case for MVP?

DeMar DeRozan has set the NBA ablaze in recent days with his astonishing performance thus far this season, including a pair of back-to-back buzzer-beaters to knock off both the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards. These shots won over the hearts of fans and ultimately helped lift the Chicago Bulls to an Eastern Conference-best 24-10 record.

Due to his strong start, it should come as no surprise that many members of the media are beginning to place DeMar’s name alongside some of the NBA’s best when it comes to the MVP race.

In fact, NBA legend and Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett appears to hold DeRozan’s campaign thus far in high regard, as he placed the Bulls forward second-place in his personal MVP rankings — behind only Steph Curry — with teammate Zach LaVine close behind in third place.

Realistically, it’s highly unlikely that Chicago finishes with two players in the top five for MVP voting. The NBA simply has more talent than ever before and the Bulls star duo would be forced to contend with multiple all-time greats in the prime of their careers.

That being said, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore just how magical DeRozan’s performance has been in Chicago. After the eventual championship-winning trade that sent him to the Spurs in exchange for superstar Kawhi Leonard, the spotlight was taken off of DeRozan and the national media seemed to ignore his accomplishments and growth as a player.

Despite becoming a great facilitator for his young teammates in San Antonio, DeRozan would not receive a single All-Star bid, even after lifting the team to the playoffs in his first year with the Spurs.

The Chicago Bulls have embraced DeMar DeRozan and put him in a position to succeed, but has he done enough to warrant MVP consideration?

Thankfully, that all changed when DeMar DeRozan took his talents to Chicago. Averaging 26.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game through 34 games, DeRozan has been a huge reason why the Bulls have surged to the top of the Eastern Conference after finishing 31-41 last season.

DeRozan leads the Chicago Bulls in points, is second in assists, and is tied for third in rebounds per game. He also leads the team in free throw attempts per game, which has been a huge benefactor to their success considering Chicago ranked dead last as a team in that category last season.

Alongside LaVine, the duo has made for an electric tandem on offense. They are currently combining for 53.1 points per game, a mark not even Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen ever attained as a pairing.

An argument could be made that either DeRozan or LaVine deserve consideration for the award, but what has really set DeMar apart is that he has been the primary offensive option when it matters most.

DeRozan is leading the league in fourth-quarter points per game, with only Giannis Antetokounmpo close behind him. As a narrative-driven award, it’s also difficult to ignore the mental effect that back-to-back game-winning shots would have in the minds of voters.

Additionally, it’s worth looking at how the team has performed when one of the two stars has led the team as the primary scorer.

• Bulls record with DeRozan as the leading scorer: (14-3)
• Bulls record with LaVine as the leading scorer: (9-7) 
• Bulls record with someone else as the leading scorer: (1-0)

Granted, this does not mean much from an analytical perspective, but it does help give credence to the idea that voters may potentially see DeRozan as being more responsible for Chicago’s success. In reality, it’s just as likely that LaVine is only forced to take over when the Bulls are losing against tougher competition.

But as the closer for this team, it’s obvious that the team’s record would not be nearly as impressive if not for DeMar’s clutch presence in late-game situations.

According to the NBA’s end of 2021 MVP ladder, DeRozan currently sits in 8th place, with LaVine behind him in 10th. With the Bulls currently on the league’s longest active winning streak and in sole possession of first place in the East, this feels underwhelming, to say the least.

In fact, he has actually fallen down their rankings after a month where the Bulls went 8-0 in games DeRozan was available to play.

He has strong arguments over Rudy Gobert (#5), Chris Paul (#6), James Harden (#7). If DeRozan is being punished for having a great offensive partner, it makes no sense as to why these players would not also suffer from playing alongside Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant, respectively.

Admittedly, the competition becomes much stiffer in the top five, as Giannis, Curry, Nikola Jokic, and Durant are all having incredible seasons in their own right. DeRozan may not be the leading candidate right now, but after the season he’s been having, excluding his name from the conversation entirely just feels wrong. The Bulls are back, and it’s thanks to DeRozan.