DeMar DeRozan Called “Top 5” Player but Shunned From MVP Race Despite Unreal Games

Published 02/25/2022, 8:30 AM EST

DeMar DeRozan has been enjoying a fantastic turnaround compared to his stint with the San Antonio Spurs. Now wearing Number 11 for the Chicago Bulls, DeRozan has put on a stunning show for the fans. In fact, his impact has been so great that the Bulls are now 1st in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.

Moreover, DeRozan was named as an All-Star starter this season. So it’s quite clear that the man has been playing a seriously high level of basketball. So high that he is in the MVP race this season. Although he may not win the award, many regard him as one of the Top 5 players of the league. One such person who shares this opinion is JJ Redick.

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JJ Redick on DeMar DeRozan

Following the Bulls‘ latest victory behind a 37 point performance from DeRozan, JJ Redick took to Twitter and explained his view on DeRozan. He urged that although DeRozan might not win the MVP award, we must still ‘Celebrate his greatness’ and that he is ‘So fun to watch.’

It’s ok to say that DeMar has been a top 5 MVP candidate/top 5 player in the league this year while also saying he probably won’t be MVP. Celebrate his greatness. So fun to watch. https://t.co/YQdDH1gcmh
— JJ Redick (@jj_redick) February 25, 2022

As mentioned earlier, DeRozan had an epic 37 point performance in his latest game against the Hawks. He shot 15-21 from the field, including 2 clutch mid-range jump shots towards the end of the game. Those two shots helped the Bulls regain the lead, after which fans began their MVP chants for DeRozan. Moreover, this win for the Bulls put the franchise on a 6 game winning streak.

DeMar DeRozan – Spurs vs Bulls

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In the 2018-19 NBA season, the Toronto Raptors made a major move that helped them win the title that season. The Raptors parted ways with their beloved star DeRozan, along with Jakob Poeltl and a draft pick, in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. Thereafter, as a member of the Spurs, DeRozan wasn’t the same player that he was with the Raptors. In fact, during his stint for the Spurs, he was never an All-Star, and also made the playoffs just once. Clearly, it wasn’t a great time for the NBA star.

Fast forward to the off-season in 2021, and DeRozan found himself in Chicago with newfound confidence. Along with him, the Bulls added rising stars, Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso to the mix. It made the team look promising on paper, and soon after, they lived up to the expectations. As the season moves forward, the Bulls will aim to remain healthy and win under DeRozan’s leadership and clutch scoring. If he isn’t the MVP of the league, he surely is Chicago’s MVP.

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What do you think of DeRozan’s season so far? Should he win the MVP? Let us know in the comments below!

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Written by:

Sameer is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Having graduated from Manipal Institute of Technology, he has always had a keen interest in basketball and the numbers behind the game. With a goal to become a Sports Performance Analyst for a professional sports team, Sameer brings insights backed by data.

DeMar DeRozan Called “Top 5” Player but Shunned From MVP Race Despite Unreal Games

JJ Redick on DeMar DeRozan

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DeMar DeRozan – Spurs vs Bulls