DeMar DeRozan didn’t want the season opener to be easy. He said he wanted a test, which was bordering on being too strident.
“I don’t want no cakewalk,” he said Monday. “Playing against the best should bring out the best in you. If you’re trying to be a good team or the best, you got to compete against it. You can’t run from it.”
DeRozan started his second season with The Bulls proving once again he doesn’t cower to anyone. DeRozan was unable to succeed without his starting backcourt. MiamiTo deliver the Bulls a spectacular 116-108 road win on Wednesday. He scored a game-high 37 points — one point away from matching the combined output of Heat stars Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo Kyle Lowry, DeRozan’s close friend and former teammate in Toronto.
It was as positive a debut as the Bulls could hope for, and sets the stage to what promises be a fascinating and fun season. Here are five observations on DeRozan and much more from the Bulls’ opening-night victory.
1. No backcourt, no problem?
We’ll get to DeRozan’s big night in a bit. First, let’s talk about context.
Zach LaVineHe missed the opener because he needed to treat the left knee, on which arthroscopic surgery was performed this summer.
