On Monday, the Chicago Bulls bounced back to avoid a second-straight loss against the Toronto Raptors, 111-97.
Zach LaVine led the way with a season-high 30 points while DeMar DeRozan played more of a playmaker role, finishing with 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists on just six shots from field.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan spoke post game on DeRozan’s ability to shift his role based on what the defense is giving him.
“They obviously made a concerted effort to trap DeMar tonight, and to me it was all about his greatness as a player because it was a total give himself up for the benefit of the team,” Donovan said. “We’ve got to have other ways to score, and his willingness to move and share the basketball.”
DeRozan has spoke candidly about his time in San Antonio and how despite what was a lack of confidence to begin, became more growth in his game as a playmaker as Spurs coach Gregg Popovich put him in a position as a point guard.
“I thought DeMar when he got trapped was unbelievable,” Donovan said of Monday’s game. “It was a perfect indication of what he’s all about, and it’s winning: ‘This is what the game dictates, this is what I have to do and this is how I have to help my teammates.’ I’ve always said great players make people around them better, and he made everyone around him better tonight with his level of sacrifice.”
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