DeMar DeRozan was a staple of the Toronto Raptors franchise for years. However, the four-time All-Star was traded to the San Antonio Spurs prior to the start of this season. Being dealt to a new team is tough for most players (and their families). The same can be said for DeRozan, who was admittedly displeased with the trade at first. However, it sounds like he's starting to find joy in his new role as he seeks out an ideal level of happiness.
Prior to Saturday's matchup in Utah against the Jazz, DeRozan took part in an impromptu interview with Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News. Huddled in a crowded visitors locker room, DeRozan detailed his current mindset:
“There’s different elements you have to go through to feel more accepting, more appreciative of something,” DeRozan told Finger. “I was one thing for a long period of time. So, you know, it definitely takes time.”
“It forces out another side of you that you probably didn’t know you had, because you were in a comfortable place,” DeRozan said. “For me, it’s been new things I’ve been figuring out in the process of getting back to my old self.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m down, or how I was in the summertime,” DeRozan said. “For me it’s just continuing to feel out everything, from the ups to the downs. In some ways, the best way to learn things is to go through your adversity and struggle, because you know when you come out on top of it, it’s going to be worth it.”
DeRozan has always been an excellent player, but now that he's with the Spurs, his game seems to be developing even further. And though he's scoring a bit less, his assist and rebound numbers are up.
In 54 appearances with the Spurs this season (all starts), DeRozan has racked up averages of 21.4 points on 46.3 percent shooting from the field, 6.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists and a steal in 35.3 minutes per outing. For comparison, DeRozan averaged 3.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists in his last season with the Raptors.
San Antonio (33-26 and second in the Southwest Division standings) snapped a four-game losing streak with Tuesday night's 108-107 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Without a doubt, the Spurs will be looking to keep their momentum rolling after the All-Star break.
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