At 34 years old, DeMar DeRozan played exactly 37.8 minutes on average in the 79 games he played this season. DeRozan doesn't know what “load management” is. No later than Sunday evening, in a final regular game for butter, the former Raptors fullback played 44 minutes in the defeat against the Knicks in overtime.
Year after year, DeRozan impresses with his ability to play so many minutes in high-intensity matches. Rare are the players aged 30 or over who can boast of being in the Top 10 of those who play the most minutes on a regular basis. In reality, over the last 20 seasons, there are only 19 of them! Reliability and unfailing endurance which impress his teammate, Coby White.
“And he doesn’t miss any training. He doesn't miss a shooting session », White says.. “ He is ahead of everything. These are the things I notice. He's always on time. He is always one of the first on site. You know how some guys can be. Concerning him, it's just that his professionalism never changes, day after day. »
DeMar DeRozan resists
The Bulls player demonstrates every night (or almost) that we can still play more than 35 minutes per game, and be productive. You still have to prepare and maintain your body for a grueling NBA season.
“I always joke with a lot of older guys that are in the league, like Chris Paul, like Kyle (Lowry), like, 'Man, we gotta keep it together for the old guys.' quips DeRozan. “Because I hate the stigma that 33, 34, 35 is old. I hate that. So I'm trying to break that stigma. Guys can reach their thirties. As long as they take care of themselves, they can still go out there and compete and play at a high level, just like these kids. So I make it a personal matter. I face this challenge every time I play. And I just want to be out there showing it. »
The recipe for longevity doesn't seem so complicated to hear the main person talking about it. “I try to eat as best as possible. I'm not doing anything. I do not go out. I dont drink. I try to take care of myself so I can be there for these guys. »
Don't stop there
While the Bulls will try to make the playoffs, DeRozan has another goal in mind for next season: playing all 82 games of the regular season. “To be honest with you, last year I had a goal. I wanted to play all 82 games. But I had a problem with my quadriceps” regrets DeRozan. “And last summer, I told myself that I wanted to be even more available, to try again to play 82. I played 79. I could have played the other night ( in Washington). That would have been 80. I missed a match for personal reasons. Which really results in only one missed match. »
DeRozan will have at least one more game to play this season. This is the first play-in game against the Hawks. If they win, the Bulls can then face the loser of the Sixers – Heat dam to hope to qualify for the playoffs, and challenge the Celtics.
