Deprived of three starters for the end of the season, and even a real strong winger, the Bulls will tinker until April, with the aim of securing a place in the playoffs. Last night, Billy Donovan's men surprised everyone by winning 114-106 in New Orleans. A success with forceps and that is particularly satisfying DeMar DeRozan.
“It’s not a boxing match, but a brawl. And in a fight, anything goes. You have to bite, scratch, hold on…” explains the Bulls winger. “You have to tell yourself that you have to do everything to win. It won't always be beautiful. Don't expect it to be pretty. As long as we come away with a victory, that's the only thing that matters. »
Trailing by 12 points in the 3rd quarter, the Bulls turned the tide of the match with their solidarity.
“It won’t necessarily always be beautiful, but they will fight” repeats Billy Donovan. “My players are not the type to say: 'OK, Patrick is out for the season. Okay, Torrey's not here. We're going to play a very good team and we don't have a chance.' They don't have that mentality, and I think DeMar is particularly productive in those moments. I find that it thrives on chaos and it thrives on uncertainty. »
Transposing your experience in Compton on the ground
DeMar DeRozan confirms that he is very comfortable in these moments when everything can go one way or the other. The former Raptors and Spurs player does not hesitate to mention his childhood in Compton as the source of this state of mind.
“What I explain to the coach, and every time I have the opportunity to the guys, is that I try to transpose onto the field the perception of what I experienced. When you do, you realize that what happens on the ground has nothing to do with the reality of what I experienced. Personally, I try to thrive in these moments and make the most of them. I’m trying to make it contagious, not just for me, but for everyone.”
For two years, it is often in adversity that the Bulls have been the most convincing and that is what DeMar DeRozan appreciates in this group.
“It’s always easy, in the face of adversity, to withdraw, to find excuses, to give in, to lament, to complain,” he lists. “You’ll never hear that in our house. We just try to do our best every day. Nothing is ideal. That's one thing I try to get the guys to understand: I wake up every day, but I don't expect it to be sunny every day. That's why I try to make the most of every situation I find myself in. »
