What the Chicago Bulls star shooting guard/forward DeMar DeRozan has done for the Chicago Bulls so far this season is nothing short of spectacular. DeRozan is putting up some big numbers while looking like a true contender to be a starter in the All-Star Game and a member of one of the All-NBA Teams.
Not only that, DeRozan has consistently looked like one of the five or 10 best candidates for the MVP honors all season long. DeRozan came out of the gates hot this season for second-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Bulls and has slowed down ever since.
And a former head coach of DeRozan’s at his last stop prior to landing with the Bulls last offseason had some kind words to say about him this week. The legendary San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talked about how DeRozan is performing for the Bulls this season ahead of his team’s meeting with the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 4.
Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan gets some kind words from his former head coach Gregg Popovich
Gregg Popovich on former Spur DeMar DeRozan and what he's doing with the Bulls this season: "It doesn't surprise me one iota. As you well know, he's a great guy, great teammate. He does what he does and he does it really well, and he's brought that to Chicago."
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 4, 2022
He mentioned that “it doesn’t surprise me one iota” that DeRozan is playing this well with the Bulls this season. Popovich also noted that “he’s a great guy and a great teammate”.
This is nice to hear from such a respected figure in the NBA’s history such as Popovich. After coaching DeRozan for three seasons in San Antonio prior to the former Spur and Raptor landing with the Bulls last summer.
DeRozan was never an All-Star in any of his three seasons with the Spurs. What he did do during his time with the Spurs, though, was reinvent his game to become one of the most effective and versatile offensive stars in the NBA today.
How DeRozan reinvented his game under Pop with the Spurs is what is allowing him to find so much success with the Bulls this season. He did have a good run with the Spurs, even though he wasn’t ever an All-Star or All-NBA Team selection in San Antonio.
DeRozan and the Bulls now have an Eastern Conference-best 25-10 record following their four-point win over the Orlando Magic at home at the United Center on the night of Jan. 3. Next up for the Bulls is a meeting with the Washington Wizards at home on Jan. 7.