Everything Derozan

[Axel]

Agreed. I don't think "taking credit" is the proper term here. Nobody is saying, "DeRozan is playing well because of me".

No, it's clearly because of Casey

[Bandit]

Agreed. I don't think "taking credit" is the proper term here. Nobody is saying, "DeRozan is playing well because of me".

Lol you think it would be easy enough to say "Hey, we just beat the thunder on a B2B on their home turf! Demar played well by keeping true to his talents and incorporating some elements that have been criticized! Oh and look at that, the Raps are starting 5-0!"

[ball4life]

Whats so different about his game this year?

Stop it. you know he is not forcing long twos with 20 secs left on the shot clock anymore.

[Miekenstien]

Agreed. I don't think "taking credit" is the proper term here. Nobody is saying, "DeRozan is playing well because of me".

its two sides arguing over who gets to say "i told you so"

hahaha

[Chr1s1anL]

Hahaha this is why we will never have peace in the Everything Demar thread.

Even when DD was playing "out of his mind", he still had many of the warts (poor shot selection, and poor W-L) that people were looking to see change. DD has played, these last few games, without these warts. To say that he is playing the same way as he had during last season (or even his allstar season) is admitting that you don't even know what you are seeing or looking for and discounting the possibility that Demar has actually evolved his game.

DeMar is shooting .421from the field. The reason why their W-L is better is cause their a better team and they actually play defense.

[Wild-ling#1]

Most "Doubters" and "Haters" never had a problem with Derozan.

Most "Doubters" and "Haters" simply said that the only thing that matters is what happens on court, and that his work ethic and drive only counts if he can get it to the court.

Most "Doubters" and "Haters" saw the potential in Derozan, but the apparent disregard to play to his strengths brought out such frustration.

He is playing a new style of game so far, don't pretend he isn't. He's making better decisions, taking better shots. He has better self-awareness and is playing hard on defense consistently.

You didn't like the whole District of Derozan thing so lets stop acting like everyone here is a "Doubter" or "Hater" because they criticized a talented players choice to play a flawed style of basketball that didn't help his talents, or contribute to team success.

That BS. You praise effort and dedication - whether it pays off or not.

But now that it seems like it might actually be paying off (and he's got better team-mates to assist, etc.) you want to spin it that you were wholly justified in insisting he should have been better, sooner.

Just give the man some credit and enjoy the wins, why don't you? Is there any point in retrospective Demar bashing ...?

[SkywalkerAC]

Most "Doubters" and "Haters" never had a problem with Derozan.

Most "Doubters" and "Haters" simply said that the only thing that matters is what happens on court, and that his work ethic and drive only counts if he can get it to the court.

Most "Doubters" and "Haters" saw the potential in Derozan, but the apparent disregard to play to his strengths brought out such frustration.

He is playing a new style of game so far, don't pretend he isn't. He's making better decisions, taking better shots. He has better self-awareness and is playing hard on defense consistently.

You didn't like the whole District of Derozan thing so lets stop acting like everyone here is a "Doubter" or "Hater" because they criticized a talented players choice to play a flawed style of basketball that didn't help his talents, or contribute to team success.

Most importantly, doubters and haters denied the possibility of improvement from a few short months that dragged his last season down. That was the major sticking point this summer.

[Chr1s1anL]

It was flat out and very colourfully and oh-so-repeatedly [I]denied[/I] that he could "up" his game.

That was the clear, essential and un-deniable salience of #ProveEm: That he would prove you wrong.

And so for God's-sake people have to stop spinning the story of his recent improvement (however durable) by implying that his harshest critics can now take the credit for someone else's accomplishments!

Just stop!

Thank you. You've notice this too.

[Axel]

DeMar is shooting .421from the field. The reason why their W-L is better is cause their a better team and they actually play defense.

If he keeps this up and we have a legit sample size to compare, you will be able to see that he is taking fewer mid range pull ups and long twos, and getting into the paint more.

Maybe the raw stats will convince you that things are just the same as before.

Better shot selection, and better ball movement changed this offence.

[hotfuzz]

You have it completely backwards.

Shall we recap what the 'haters' have been saying for years?

1) Attack the basket and don't shy away from contact (from the early years) --> the way he attacks the basket and deliberately looks to draw contact, so he can make a living at the charity stripe, is the polar opposite from the marshmallow-soft way he played early in his career

2) Post-up smaller defenders --> this is one of his greatest strengths that he still doesn't rely on consistently enough, but when he does - as we've seen the past few nights - he can be incredibly effective shooting high-efficiency shots (while drawing and-1's - see #1)

3) Play facilitator instead of hero-ball --> it's evident in every measure - eye test, basic stats, advanced stats, game results - that DeRozan, his teammates, and the team in general are all better when he involves his teammates effectively, instead of only forcing his own game

4) Contribute in other ways than scoring --> when he commits to defense, rebounding and facilitating (see #3), he has a much broader and much more positive impact on the game, even when his own shot isn't falling efficiently

5) Don't rely on the worst shot in basketball and/or force bad/contested shots --> in his best games throughout his career, and for most of this season, him being 'good DeRozan' consistently has been the most impressive improvement we've seen from him; when he resorts to selfish hero-ball, 'bad DeRozan' can look like a d-leaguer that shoots his team right out of games (by wasting possessions and taking his teammates out of the game due to lack of offensive involvement)


--

It's really the same as Casey. His detractors argued that the scramble defensive strategy was horrendous and didn't play to the strengths of his personnel. The new defensive system is the exact opposite, allowing players - both perimeter and inside (especially JV) - to play to their strengths, which has made the entire roster look better and resulted in a top-tier looking defense get established so quickly out of the gate.

One of my pet peeves in this early season is listening to media talk about "players buying into Casey's defensive system this season" as the reason for the defensive turnaround. That's complete sh!t. The players are no more committed to the system this season; the system has changed and the new system is committed to the players on the roster.

Casey, like DeRozan, hasn't proven his doubters wrong. Instead, by having success with the changes made (the very changes that the 'haters' have been clamoring for), they're both proving the doubters correct. Us 'haters' are just enjoying the success the team is having, with both Casey and DeRozan, without the need to needle fellow posters with tripe like "ProveEM

Jusy yea, refer to this post christian. No one is a hater. It's such a bs word: hater.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

That BS. You praise effort and dedication - whether it pays off or not.

But now that it seems like it might actually be paying off (and he's got better team-mates to assist, etc.) you want to spin it that you were wholly justified in insisting he should have been better, sooner.

Just give the man some credit and enjoy the wins, why don't you? Is there any point in retrospective Demar bashing ...?

That would be true if a player simply improved his play. With DeRozan, it's more about changing the way he plays. When the improvement comes because of the 'how', it's an entirely different conversation.

[Chr1s1anL]

Most "Doubters" and "Haters" never had a problem with Derozan.

Most "Doubters" and "Haters" simply said that the only thing that matters is what happens on court, and that his work ethic and drive only counts if he can get it to the court.

Most "Doubters" and "Haters" saw the potential in Derozan, but the apparent disregard to play to his strengths brought out such frustration.

He is playing a new style of game so far, don't pretend he isn't. He's making better decisions, taking better shots. He has better self-awareness and is playing hard on defense consistently.

You didn't like the whole District of Derozan thing so lets stop acting like everyone here is a "Doubter" or "Hater" because they criticized a talented players choice to play a flawed style of basketball that didn't help his talents, or contribute to team success.

Do you have numbers to back up how so drastically his game has changer. Him being a new player it should be quite obvious.

[Joey]

OR we're finally seeing a Coach understanding how to use his players properly as was alluded to as being a priority several times this off-season by Management and the Coaching staff.

Either way, I knew Demar had it in him to play smart, team ball, and hope his strong play continues.

[Nilanka]

Most importantly, doubters and haters denied the possibility of improvement from a few short months that dragged his last season down. That was the major sticking point this summer.

As a labelled "hater", I will agree with this post.

But it's been 5 games. We've seen stretches like this from DeMar before, and it hasn't lasted. If DeRozan can play this level of intelligent basketball for a full season, then we can confidently conclude that DeMar has improved (in his decision-making).

Also, we should distinguish those who said that DeRozan couldn't improve period, vs. those who said he couldn't improve specific aspects of his game. I mean, is anyone still holding out hope that he'll become a 35% 3-pt shooter?

[Wild-ling#1]

We can argue about his learning curve, or talk about his trying to "step-up" when other players were injured or struggling ... or not having players around him that were as conducive to growth. But there are narratives where Demar doesn't have to be painted as a selfish fool for his play before now.