The Bulls are off to an outstanding 10-4 start and sign-and-trade acquisition DeMar DeRozan is a huge reason why. DeRozan scored 38 points against the Lakers on Monday, shooting 15-for-23 from the field, 2-for-5 from deep, and 6-of-6 from the line while adding six assists to an all-around great performance. Jamal Collier of ESPN writes that DeRozan is carrying “so many chips” on his shoulder, which he uses as motivation.
“I can go down the list of just being counted out, being looked over,” DeRozan said. “So many chips that’s on my shoulder that I carry. And just wanting to be a winner and wanting to enjoy this ride. We can’t play this game forever, so I want to get as much as I can out of it.”
Through 14 games, DeRozan is averaging 26.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 35.3 minutes per contest, with a stellar .510/.371/.873 shooting line. Now 32, DeRozan says he’s never viewed his age as an issue and his new team is allowing him to be the best version of himself on the court.
“I never looked at age as being an issue,” DeRozan said. “I never looked at it. People put the age limit on everything, and I never did. The way I worked, the way I take care of my body, the way I prepare, I knew what I was capable of doing. I just took different roads the last couple years of playing basketball, trying to do the right thing, figuring it out.
“This time, just knowing my ability was always there, I never lost confidence. I never thought I couldn’t be who I was before. Chicago allowed me to completely be myself.”
Here’s more from the Central:
- Bulls forward Derrick Jones Jr., an unrestricted free agent in 2022, recently spoke to Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago. With Nikola Vucevic sidelined, Jones has been getting minutes as a backup center, which is a new experience for him at the NBA level. Jones says he’s happy to defend anyone on the court. “Me personally, I’m not tripping. I love being on the floor, so any opportunity I get to be out there and just be able to contribute to winning and competing that’s all I want to do. I’m a competitor at the end of the day. I don’t care if I have to guard a five or a guard,” Jones said.
- Bucks guard Grayson Allen, acquired via trade in the offseason, is loving his time in Milwaukee, writes Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “I know I’ve only been in Milwaukee and with the Bucks a short time but I’m really excited to have this extension here. It’s an incredible culture, incredible group of guys here. I’m really happy to be part of this group and extending my time here,” Allen said. He signed a two-year extension prior to the season and is averaging a career high 16.0 points and 3.9 rebounds in 14 games (29.9 minutes per game), with a .451/.438/.920 shooting line. He’s third in the NBA in three-pointers made.
- Despite battling an injury to start his rookie campaign, Pistons first overall pick Cade Cunningham remains ever-confident in his abilities on and off the court, writes Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. Cunningham says he’s constantly adding to his game. “Every game, I feel like I add something to the hard drive and something to my game,” Cunningham said. “I’ve learned so much about me as a person and me as a player since I got to the NBA. It’s promising for me, at least, to stay confident and just believe in myself for the future.” Cunningham had 25 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists on Monday against the Kings.
- Rod Beard of The Detroit News details how Pistons forward Josh Jackson found his way home to Detroit, and now he’s finding his way with the team. Jackson, an unrestricted free agent in 2022, says he grew up a Pistons fan. “It just kind of makes me feel like everything came full circle for me. Obviously, this was the team I grew up watching pretty much all of my early years,” Jackson said.
DeRozan was a great sign. I know Knicks talked to him. But didn’t offer enough. He’s in a good place with young talent. Definitely a leader on Bulls team.
Knicks visit Sunday. Should be a good one. We need a good win ……
Problem with your NYK is that offensively they are very predictable. Nobody is a number one option on that team. On defense, they added arguably two historically porous defenders in Kemba and Fournier. Randle isn’t a franchise player. He’s a 3rd option on a title contending team. It seems like they aren’t as happy and hungry after last year’s success. Granted they’ve been unhealthy this year with Noel and a few others but you cannot expect to be better when you added Kemba who isn’t a pass first PG, which is what you guys needed and it shows after 18 turnovers against Orlando tonight. They need a legitimate PG general and not some past bandaid players at the position.
Well that’s why I wanted Dinwiddie. But the two guard system can work fine here. Unfortunately Randle is not helping it. Cause he wants to control the ball. And guys give it up to him. That’s on Thibs to establish the offense. Randle needs to go to post. Knicks are one of deepest teams in NBA. Mitch is out of shape. They are out of synch and not playing D. I agree the hunger is not there. That’s what a little success can do to you in NY. You need leadership to let you know. You have to work all game. Not there yet. But they play down to their opponents. And play better against top teams. Regardless they are .500 and playing bad. I trust Thibs to get it right. Even if it takes a trade to get their attention. They will show up for Bulls. You’ll see.
Magic are 3-11 with two wins over Knicks. Sad
You wanted Dinwiddie and I agree that was in hindsight smart … he bounced back well, better than I expected at least.
Having said that I was on record saying they should have taken a hard look at DDR, esp given he played essentially PG in SA. Thought lb for lb he was the best perimeter guy realistically available to them this summer.
Always thought Fournier was an overpay. Guy was an empty stat sheet in ORL. He’s just proving it in NY
Can’t argue w/ Kemba’s contract but the risk was he took mpg from Quickley which has proven true so far.
I can’t wait for Sunday! NBA needs NYK and Bulls rivalry. I miss those days growing up in the 90’s and seeing the Garden packed for those games.
I’ll be there!
There’s nothing wrong w adding Kemba at 8m per. But he can’t be guaranteed minutes if Rose and Quickley are better players. That’s the issue.
I thought the Fournier signing was bad this summer and think worse of it now.
Randle could be a #2 on a contender if he plays like he did last year, but we’ll see…
Also it would be nice if Barrett took a leap
Every winning team needs at least one superstar to be a winning team. They have none
Not true in the regular season. Work hard teams have been successful in the past. You need superstars that can score in a variety of ways in the playoffs. The game slows down, and teams actually play defense.
Knicks lose to Magic at home, Again. Sad.
The starters are what’s hurting this team the most. Go figure. No offensive flow no chemistry. This is on Thibs.
Knicks just gotta add a consistent offensive player, kemba is so wild with his stats, great today terrible tomorrow and never brings the defense, they should be tryin to get Brandon Ingram in my opinion, but I’m a bulls fan…bulls knicks rivalry being real again would be wonderful
Nba needs NY/CHI back at the forefront of pure hatred.
I honestly think even with BI14 they wouldn’t move the needle much. They need a PG. It starts there for that offense and get them in their sets. I’m surprised they didn’t kick tires on Rubio yet but Cavs are playing terrific basketball and with Sexton out, he’s too valuable to trade right now.
Knick should trade for ben simmons.walker,toppin,and 1st.thibs love simmons type player.
Randle-Simmons fit?? Ooof..
What’s hurting Knicks most right now, I’ve watched all the gms. Is Mitch is not the Mitch of last yr. And Noel is out. That with new guys on team. Our D is bad. Our offense is a work in progress. Personally I don’t like three barrage. It’s overdone. Especially when they get behind. Kemba has to take more control like Rose does. Fournier too needs to take good shots not just threes. He’s passing up 10-15 footers. There is no offensive flow. It’s iso and look for a three. No ball movement. This is on Thibs. When Noel comes back and Mitch is in better shape. Our D will get better. We are at bottom now. Knicks have to work ten deep to win. They are not doing that. Randle has to give the ball up and lead. Offense is stagnant. It’s on Thibs. I Trust in Thibs. So it will come.
Bulls are playing good. I bet you they show up for that game. Knicks play down to bad teams. That’s gotta stop. Work in progress we are still .500 playing bad.