DeMar DeRozan making history in more ways than one

Pre-All-Star Break, DeMar DeRozan put on an absolute show for the Chicago Bulls. Showing why he was named an All-Star starter and also why he should be in consideration for the MVP honors this season, DeRozan has led this Bulls team to new heights. Second-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Bulls actually enter the All-Star Break in first place in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 38-21.

DeRozan proved to be one of the best players in the NBA this season after putting up likely the best numbers of his career to date through 55 games played. So far this season, he’s averaged 28.1 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks while shooting 51.7 percent from the field, 34.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 86.6 percent from the free-throw line.

DeRozan has also registered career bests in box plus/minus (3.3), player efficiency rating (24.7), and win shares per 48 minutes (.190) so far this season.

What was truly astounding, though, from DeRozan ahead of the All-Star Break was the way he played in the last few weeks. In fact, the month of February was really a special one so far for DeRozan. He’s scored no fewer than 28 points in any game this month.

DeMar DeRozan making more history for the Chicago Bulls of late

And DeRozan just went on a streak that made NBA history. With his insane 38-point performance in the Bulls’ Feb. 16 win at home over the Sacramento Kings, he became the first player in NBA history to accomplish a pretty solid feat.

He is now the only player in NBA history to have at least seven games with 35 points in each game while shooting at least 50 percent from the field in the process. That is pretty amazing to say that even the Bulls’ all-time great shooting guard Michael Jordan didn’t accomplish that.

But there are more ways than just that obviously tremendous accomplishment for DeRozan that he is making history heading into the All-Star Break. This 10-game span to start the month of February where DeRozan is on fire has made an impact on this team that is huge.

During this 10 game span, DeRozan is averaging more than 35 points per game, five rebounds, five assists, and one steal while shooting at least 55 percent from the field and 85 percent from the free-throw line.

DeRozan has joined the company of six other current (or to-be) Hall-of-Famers to accomplish this feat. That list includes the likes of James Harden, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, George Gervin, Adrian Dantley, and MJ.

The level of consistency by which DeRozan is putting on of late is very special. This recent run he’s on can also be illustrated in a way he’s making NBA history. DeRozan now has tied for the longest streak of games in NBA history where he scores at least 30 points, three rebounds, and three assists while shooting at least 40 percent from the field and 70 percent from the free-throw line.

All in all, there are multiple ways to spin the way that DeRozan is standing out for the Bulls of late. The fact of the matter is that he is the main reason why the Bulls sit in first place in the East heading into the All-Star Break.

Thanks to his standout efforts through the first half of the season, DeRozan just nabbed his fifth career All-Star nod. He will also be an All-Star starter for the third time in his career. Now, we will see if DeRozan winds up nabbing his third career All-NBA Team nod.