In the rich history of the NBA, there have been players who constantly relied on their athleticism and never bothered to round out their games. However, there have also been players who adapted and adjusted their playing styles to remain relevant and successful in the ever-evolving league. DeMar DeRozan falls into the latter category.
Early in his career, the former USC Trojan was known for his high-flying ways, attacking the rim with ferocity every time down the floor. However, it wasn’t until he suffered a torn adductor longus muscle early in the 2014-2015 season that he realized he needed to alter his game and incorporate moves that the great Michael Jordan used late in his career.
Missed 21 games
In an interview on “Club 520,” the five-time All-Star wingman shared how pissed he was about his injury as it came at a time when things were going well for him and his team at that time, the Toronto Raptors.
“In 2013, I had torn my groin—like, off the bone. It was like six, seven games into the season. I was just trying to turn the corner with the ball, slipped, tore my whole groin. And, like, I was so worried because I'm like, 'Man, we’re finally getting good.' I think the year before, I had made the All-Star team, so I'm like, 'Man, I'm trying to... I didn't want to be a one-time All-Star type of ni***, you know?’” Deebo shared .
With those things in mind, DeRozan admitted he didn’t want to go under the knife as that would mean he’d miss the rest of the season. He explored different ways to manage his injury, including a PRP injection and physical therapy. However, the results weren’t what he had hoped they’d be.
“So, when I started back playing, I wasn't right for the next probably like two years. Nobody knew, I never said nothing. So that made me scared to jump, run fast, and that's when I started paying attention to ni**** like Joe Johnson,” DeMar stated, referring to the crafty wingman known as “Iso Joe,” who got buckets using his smooth handle and mid-range game.
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Began studying Michael Jordan’s game
Eager to transform his game yet remain a feared scorer in the league, the three-time All-NBA team member began studying footage of the legendary Michael. However, this wasn’t the MJ of yore; it was the old MJ who still managed to dominate as a Washington Wizard despite no longer having the nuclear athleticism he once had.
With determination and a strong desire to improve, DeMar began incorporating elements of Jordan's game into his own. He worked tirelessly on his footwork, studying every move and countermove His Airness used to get past defenders.
“I remember during that time, I sat there and watched those two years of Michael Jordan playing for the Wizards. I swear to God, I watched Jordan every game he played in a Wizards jersey. And I'm like, 'Yo, they said both his knees were messed up, he couldn't move, blah blah blah,’” the Kings forward conveyed.
“So I'm watching him from the standpoint of, like, how is he doing what he's doing? He’s still averaging 20-plus, still getting 40, but he's not using—he's not athletic no more, he's not the old Jordan,” Deebo continued.
Now 34, DeMar remains as lethal a player as ever. Aside from being a potent scorer, especially from the mid-range, DeRozan’s adjustments to his game have helped him become more durable, as he’s played at least 74 games in his three seasons with the Chicago Bulls.
Related: "He was a little bit more dangerous when he was with the Wizards" - Rasheed Wallace on why Michael Jordan was still lethal late in his career
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