Chicago Bulls swingman DeMar DeRozan has had a steady presence in the league since the Toronto Raptors selected him ninth overall out of USC in the 2009 NBA Draft.
A midrange maestro known for propensity to come up big in the clutch, DeRozan is one of the most difficult players in the league to defend. A crafty and instinctive scorer, his deft footwork and a feathery shooting touch have seemingly been mastered after a lifetime of dedication. Averaging at least 20 points per game every season since 2013-14, it’s no wonder that he’s been named an All-Star six times since.
On the heels becoming just the 35th player to reach 23,000 career points, DeRozan is now on the doorstep of an honor. One that he can’t possibly take lightly.
DeMar DeRozan Set to Pass Dwyane Wade in Career Points
First up is Elgin Baylor. Remembered fondly as “Rabbit,” Baylor is one of the NBA’s trailblazers. Credited with helping usher in the prototypical modern day forward, the Hall of Famer finished his illustrious career with 23,149 points.
Next up is Dwyane Wade, with 23,265 career points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame last summer, “Flash” was one of the league’s most popular players. Retiring at the end of the 2018-19 season, Wade’s dominant performances and captivating play style electrified the NBA early in his career.
Winning a championship at the age of 24, Wade averaged 34.7 points per game in the 2006 NBA Finals. The next highest scoring average on the team belonged to Antoine Walker, and was nearly 20 points below Wade’s. As he also averaged 2.7 steals per game, it was a Michael Jordan-like performance for the Chicago native. It didn’t hurt that, like DeRozan or Jordan, Wade was a deadeye shooter inside the arc.
Averaging 23.1 points per game this season, DeRozan —who has 23,097 career points —will pass Wade on the all-time scoring list in seven (or eight) games.
It’s a phenomenal achievement for the Compton native, who entered the league six years after Wade and has only played 38 more games thus far.
‘The Hardest Person to Guard’
Speaking to NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson about what’s been yet another remarkable season, the 15-year NBA veteran offered his thoughts on the feat:
“Man, D-Wade when I came in the league was by far the hardest person to guard,” says DeRozan.
“Me being a two and coming in the Eastern Conference, I had to see him so many times early in my career… He was so physical, so fast. He had a drive to him that showed why he’s one of the best to ever do it. It’s beyond an honor. I grew up watching him play.
So to have the opportunity to pass somebody I admire, played in All-Star games with, competed against, have a great relationship with is definitely cool. It means a lot.”
DeRozan and Wade have faced off 24 times in the regular season. Wade’s teams have dominated in their head-to-heads, winning 17 of those matchups. However, Wade is only 3-4 against DeRozan in the playoffs.
Looking at their numbers creates an even more interesting picture.
DeRozan averaged 20.9 points per game against Wade in the regular season and 22.1 points per game him the playoffs. Without a doubt, he held his own against one of the best guards of all-time. Meanwhile, Wade averaged 21.6 points per game in the regular season and 23.9 points per game in the playoffs. Though Wade had the statistical advantage, comparing their numbers highlights DeRozan’s underrated scoring ability.
DeRozan, reflecting on the all-time greats he played in his career, relays that “it’s a special thing.”
“Because when you sit back, I realize I played against some of the greatest scorers in this league. To still be playing and passing guys is beyond amazing.
Steph, James (Harden), Russ (Westbrook), KD, we’re all in the top-35 scoring of all-time. It really doesn’t hit me fully until the offseason when I really look at it. And that don’t come from accident. It comes with hard work, sacrificing, lot of pain. So it’s definitely something that’s cool.”
Witnessing 40,000
Reflecting on his own nearly unfathomable longevity might not come easy. However, in looking at the accomplishments of fellow stars, DeRozan was met with another thought. The idea that even he —an exceptional scorer by all measures —watched one record be set that might never be broken.
“I was telling somebody the other night when I passed 23,000,” DeRozan says, “I went home and I realized this man has 40,000.”
“In my opinion, I don’t think anybody will ever break that,” he concedes. “It’s the most incredible thing you can ever witness. Props to LeBron [James] to be dominant for 21 years.”
