In two days, DeRozan matched Jordan's career output
Maybe DeMar DeRozan's two days of heroics got a lost among the bowl games and ball drops, but his accomplishment deserves a closer look.
According to basketball-reference.com, DeRozan is the first player in NBA history to hit game-winning shots at the buzzer on consecutive days. DeRozan's were both 3-pointers, on the road, with the Bulls trailing at the time. They weren't low-pressure, tie-game, go-to-overtime-if-you-miss type of shots.
According to Bulls radio statistician Jeff Mangurten, DeRozan has pulled even with Michael Jordan in Bulls history. Jordan also had two game-winning 3-pointers at the buzzer, but they happened five years apart.
Jordan knocked down a game-ending 3-pointer against Detroit at the Stadium on Nov. 11, 1992, then did it again against Charlotte on Feb. 11, 1997 at the United Center. The shot against the Hornets happened in a tie game and Jordan might have had a toe on the line, but it went in the record book as a 3.
DeRozan hit a long-distance 3 from the right of the key to beat Indiana on Friday, then knocked down a corner 3 over the outstretched arm of Bradley Beal in Washington on Saturday.
Neither appeared to be a particularly high-percentage look, but DeRozan got them both to fall. The shot at Indiana didn't even catch the rim.
"It just comes with time," DeRozan said. "It really comes with time and the feel. It took years playing around, messing around in the gym, shooting different types of shots, getting comfortable shooting over the left shoulder, right shoulder, off the pump fake, step-back. It just comes with a rhythm."
Larry Bird is the only other player to hit buzzer-beating game-winners in consecutive games, according to basketball-reference.com, doing it in a span of three days in 1985.
Fleming undefeated:
Bulls interim coach Chris Fleming went 5-0 filling in while Billy Donovan was in health and safety protocols. It's expected Donovan will be back on the bench Monday when the Bulls host Orlando, but that move may not be official until closer to game time.
Maybe Fleming is good at late-game situations, since he was in charge when DeMar DeRozan hit the two game-winning 3-pointers.
"To be honest, I'm quite relieved I can give this back to coach (Donovan)," Fleming said after the Washington game. "I was very fortunate to be able to experience this from a head-coaching standpoint and see the guys maybe from a little bit different side of them.
"I told them that afterward I was thankful for the partnership and how hard they poured themselves into making this situation a good one. That's pretty much how their character's been all season. They've been resilient, they've had other blows, different guys have been out, and just kept chugging."
DeRozan talked about how maybe they helped Fleming earn a future head-coaching job in the league.
"We wanted to give him the best resume possible," DeRozan said. "He made it fun for us, he made it easy for us and he trusted us as players to go out there and be ourselves and that's all you can ask for."
The Bulls have won seven straight and as they also had three games postponed last month, they haven't lost since Dec. 11 in Miami.
Monday updates:
After leaving protocols, Lonzo Ball and Alfonzo McKinnie are not listed on Monday's injury report, so they appear on track to play against the Magic. Alex Caruso (left foot sprain), Javonte Green (adductor strain) and Tyler Cook (left ankle sprain) are listed as out. Tony Bradley and Marko Simonovic are still in protocols. ... Starting with Monday's game, all fans 5 and older will need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the United Center. Fans 16 and older will also need to show identification that matches the vaccine record.
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