In accordance with K.C. Johnson from NBC Sports Chicago, DeRozan was upset by Raptors power forward Pascal Siakam opting to try a three-point shot with three seconds remaining while Toronto had a comfortable 12-point lead and could have easily run down the clock.
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic relayed to Bulls head coach Billy Donovan post-game that their focus was on the point differential (for tiebreakers) during the mid-season tournament match, yet Toronto had already been ousted from the tournament when Orlando defeated Boston earlier that day.
“I’m not bothered about any points from the mid-season tournament, none of that. Just reverence for the sport,” commented DeRozan. “If the roles were switched and I possessed the ball, I would retain it. That’s just how it goes.”
“I mean, I was aware that they were out of the running,” DeRozan continued. “However, that didn’t matter to me either. Everyone was urging him to ‘Score, score, score.’ Secure the win. Leave it at that. As I said, had the roles been reversed, regardless of the need for mid-season tournament points, out of respect for my adversaries, I would hold onto the ball. Particularly when there’s no shot clock. That’s my approach.”
Understandably, the primary worry for the Bulls is that they currently hold a record of 5-12, with three consecutive losses and six defeats in their last seven matches. Per Johnson, DeRozan was irked by the most recent defeat — he shredded a towel during a timeout and tore his jersey off after the removal.
“I can’t pretend. I’m intensely irritated. And I believe it’s justified as a competitor,”DeRozan conveyed, “Everyone in this room is feeling disheartened. It’s” from a favorable perspective of aspiring to compete and striving to solve it with determination. Achieving a couple of wins in a row could completely transform our situation.
“… We need to test ourselves. Let’s not engage in those deep conversations. We should motivate each other to give our best. Being pushed is important. Challenge yourself more than ever before, including myself. That’s where we stand now.”
As previously mentioned, the path ahead will not be easier for Chicago. The squad is up against a tough schedule in the following weeks, so the Bulls must step up their game significantly to have a shot at turning their season around.
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