Resurgence of DeMar DeRozan, At 34 years old, DeMar DeRozan is having one of the most impressive seasons of his 15-year NBA career, single-handedly keeping the Chicago Bulls in playoff contention. While most players decline in their mid-30s, DeRozan has elevated his game to new heights, showcasing a vintage skillset that’s becoming increasingly rare in today’s three-point obsessed NBA.
This 1,500+ word feature explores:
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DeRozan’s statistical dominance in his 15th season
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How he’s adapted his game to remain elite
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The Bulls’ reliance on his clutch performances
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Where he ranks among NBA’s all-time mid-range masters
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What his future holds in Chicago
By the Numbers: DeRozan’s Vintage Season
2023-24 Statistical Profile
| Category | Average | NBA Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 27.8 | 6th |
| Clutch Points | 5.9 | 1st |
| Free Throw Attempts | 8.1 | 3rd |
| Minutes Played | 37.9 | 2nd |
According to NBA Advanced Stats, DeRozan is:
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Shooting 49.2% on mid-range jumpers (best among high-volume shooters)
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Drawing 6.8 fouls per game (4th in NBA)
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Accounting for 31% of Chicago’s total offense
Age-Defying Comparisons
How DeRozan stacks up against other wings at age 34:
| Player | PPG | FG% | USG% |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeRozan (2024) | 27.8 | 47.5% | 31.2% |
| Kobe (2013) | 27.3 | 46.3% | 31.9% |
| Pierce (2012) | 19.4 | 44.3% | 26.1% |
The Art of the Mid-Range: A Dying Craft Perfected
DeRozan’s Shot Chart Breakdown
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Mid-Range: 49.2% on 10.1 attempts/game
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Paint: 58.1% on 6.3 attempts
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Three-Point: 32.7% on 2.1 attempts
Resurgence of DeMar DeRozan, As noted by ESPN’s Kirk Goldsberry, “DeRozan has become basketball’s last true mid-range artist. In an era of layups and threes, he’s proving there’s still room for mastery of the game’s most difficult shots.”
Footwork Clinic
DeRozan’s signature moves:
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The Fadeaway: Shooting 46.8% on turnaround jumpers
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The Pump Fake: Draws 2.3 fouls per game on shot fakes
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The Up-and-Under: Converts 61.2% at rim after moves
Clutch King: The NBA’s Most Reliable Late-Game Scorer
2023-24 Clutch Stats (Last 5 minutes, score within 5)
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5.9 PPG (1st in NBA)
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51.2% FG (3rd among high-volume)
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92.1% FT (2nd among forwards)
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+12.3 net rating
Signature Clutch Performances
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Jan 12 vs HOU: 19 4th-quarter points
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Dec 14 vs MIA: Game-winning buzzer-beater
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Nov 24 vs BKN: 15 points in final 4:30
The Bulls’ Heavy Reliance
On/Off Court Impact
| Situation | Offensive Rating | Win % |
|---|---|---|
| DeRozan On | 115.3 | .520 |
| DeRozan Off | 104.1 | .320 |
According to NBA Newsz’s analytics, the Bulls are:
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22.3 points per 100 possessions better with DeRozan
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1-7 in games he’s missed
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Scoring 18.1 fewer PPG when he sits
Historical Context: Where DeRozan Ranks All-Time
All-Time Mid-Range Leaders (Since 1997)
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Dirk Nowitzki – 4,893 FGM
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Kobe Bryant – 4,622 FGM
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DeMar DeRozan – 4,519 FGM
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Kevin Durant – 4,103 FGM
Most 30-Point Games Age 34+
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Michael Jordan – 86
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Karl Malone – 72
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DeMar DeRozan – 28 (and counting)
Future Outlook: What’s Next for DeRozan and Chicago?
Contract Situation
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$28.6M expiring contract
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Eligible for 2-year, $80M extension
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Trade rumors persist despite public commitment
Potential Destinations if Traded
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Miami Heat (Butler reunion)
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Los Angeles Lakers (LeBron connection)
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Philadelphia 76ers (Maxey mentor)
Conclusion
Resurgence of DeMar DeRozan, In an NBA increasingly dominated by three-point shooting and load management, DeMar DeRozan stands as basketball’s last true mid-range maestro. His combination of old-school fundamentals, ironman durability, and clutch gene make him one of the most unique and valuable players in today’s game. Whether he finishes his career in Chicago or elsewhere, we should appreciate this throwback superstar while we still can.
For daily Bulls coverage and DeRozan updates, visit NBA Newsz.
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