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DeMar DeRozan’s reason for choosing Bulls in free agency is awesome

Candice Evans|
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 01: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls shoot the ball against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 01, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 01: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls shoot the ball against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 01, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

As DeMar DeRozan leads the Chicago Bulls through their first playoff series since 2017, the star reflected on why he chose this destination in free agency in a recent interview with NBC’s K.C. Johnson.

When asked what he found appealing about the Chicago in the offseason, he compared the franchise to a … car.

"“It’s kind of working on a broke-down car,” DeRozan said. “You put a broke-down car in front of somebody and a brand-new foreign vehicle. Most people are going to pick the brand-new car. But me, I see so much potential of your own stamp and own mark you can leave on a broke-down, abandoned car. To where when you build it up, you find more appreciation in the work that you put into it. That’s how I view it.”"

The Bulls being the broken down car compared to the brand new foreign vehicle that is the Los Angeles Lakers is a funny analogy seeing where the teams are now, but makes perfect sense for why that’s the case.

DeRozan had the opportunity to sign with the star-studded Lakers, who had won a championship one season prior to 2021 free agency. The details for what went wrong are still fuzzy, but it was clear that the Lakers stars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, wanted him to take a substantial pay cut. After things went sour with LA, DeRozan signed an $81.9 million deal over three years with Chicago.

He decided to bet on himself and make his mark on a situation that was perceived to be more difficult. He had confidence he could change that.

DeRozan took to his Twitter and posted a throwback “running of the Bulls” video from 2009 — his rookie year — afrer he signed with Chicago. He said that it’s what reminded him of the dynasty-era Bulls team he grew up watching. He said his mental approach changed the moment he realized he was going to be a Bull because he knew that the goal wasn’t to just be good — it was to get back to contender status.

"“Especially with the history already behind it. They hadn’t been successful in awhile,” DeRozan said. “That was the mental approach. I’m big on the underdog mentality. A lot of people run from those challenges. Me, I really want to see what I’m made of in those moments. You leave your own mark that way. I’m always big on that. I want to go somewhere and leave my mark or start something that hasn’t been done. To me, that’s more honorable. You started it and took on the challenge.”"

The impact was immediate, as DeRozan is having his career-best scoring average this season and broke Wilt Chamberlain’s record of six straight games of scoring 35 or more points on 50% or better shooting. He hit multiple game-winning shots this year and was in the MVP conversation for most of the season.

And now they’re in the postseason for the first time in five years.

DeRozan and the Bulls have a tough task ahead of them in the Milwaukee Bucks, but the impact he’s had a stalled franchise is already there. The next two years of his Chicago tenure appears to be bright.