Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan Continues Incredible Campaign vs Lakers

Chicago Bulls, DeMar DeRozan, NBA
NBA Analysis Network

The Chicago Bulls continued their impressive start to the NBA season on Monday night, dismantling the Los Angeles Lakers 121-103. The Lakers had no answers for the Bulls, who have won four out of their last five games and look like legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Some familiar faces made their return to Staples Center, as Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball both had good games. Caruso didn’t score a point, taking only one shot, but his impact was felt on the game. Los Angeles is going to regret letting him go, as he had six rebounds, five assists, and two steals, providing the energy fans had gotten used to seeing in recent seasons.

Ball showcased his improved shooting stroke, going 10-of-13 from the field and 7-of-10 from 3-point land. He finished the game with 27 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and two steals.

But, it was someone the Lakers failed to nab in free agency that put them away. DeMar DeRozan, who the team courted this offseason but failed to agree with, continued his dominant start to the campaign.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: How DeMar DeRozan Is Thriving With Bulls To Begin Season

The Compton native poured in a season-high 38 points as the Lakers could not figure out a way to slow him down. He added six assists, three rebounds, one steal, and one block for an impressive stat line. Teammate Zach LaVine wanted him to get 40, but DeRozan jokingly said he was too tired to get there.

What DeRozan is accomplishing this season is quite impressive. At 32-years old, he has taken his game to another level with the Chicago Bulls and is a big reason they are having the success that they are.

“I never looked at age as being an issue,” he 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.”

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: How DeMar DeRozan Is Thriving With Bulls To Begin Season

The Chicago Bulls are big winners, as teams were trying to acquire DeRozan this offseason with mid-level exceptions and veteran minimum deals. Chicago got aggressive, signing him to a three-year, $85 million deal, and thus far he has lived up to the price.

The people who criticized the signing or thought that he was washed up were just more motivation for DeRozan coming into the season.

“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.”

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: How DeMar DeRozan Is Thriving With Bulls To Begin Season

He is certainly getting the most of it thus far this season, as he is third in the league in scoring at 26.9 points per game. Despite some concerns heading into the season about scheme fit, DeRozan has adapted perfectly to his role in Chicago and the team is off and running.

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