DeMar DeRozan is an All-Star for the 6th time in his career: ‘This is beyond exciting,’ the Chicago Bulls forward says

DeMar DeRozan was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the second straight year and will be the only Chicago Bulls representative at the Feb. 19 game in Salt Lake City.

It was the sixth All-Star nod for DeRozan, who was a starter last year and joined by Zach LaVine.

DeRozan said before Thursday’s home game against the Charlotte Hornets that the feeling never grows old.

“Man, this is beyond exciting for me, to still be playing, with all the things I’ve accomplished in my career,” he said. “I couldn’t even (have) thought of a lot of stuff that I’ve accomplished, being from Compton, Calif. Being through all the stuff I’ve been through personally, career-wise, to still be honored as an All-Star is definitely an honor.”

DeRozan finished sixth in fan voting, which accounts for 50% of the weighted score, well behind starters Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets and Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Bulls’ 23-27 record through 50 games led some to speculate they might be shut out on All-Star selections. But DeRozan’s offensive numbers were similar to last season, and his stature in the league likely factored in when NBA coaches selected reserves. He entered Thursday averaging 26.3 points, ranked 15th in the league.

After making a name for himself early in his career in Toronto, DeRozan has enjoyed a renaissance in his two seasons with the Bulls. His talents were forgotten by some when the Raptors dealt him to the San Antonio Spurs, who seldom were talked about or seen on nationally televised games.

It took coming to Chicago for people to pay attention again, something that wasn’t lost on DeRozan.

“It (means) everything,” he said. “I just hope anybody out there, whatever field you work in, never listen to the outside noise of people doubting you, counting you out, everything. As long as you’re true to yourself, believe in yourself, if you keep putting in the work with genuine heart and genuine passion, you will be rewarded.”

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DeRozan quickly became the most popular player on the revamped Bulls last season, as well as the team leader. His arrival wasn’t greeted with much hype, but fans paid close attention to what he brought to the team, the blunt way he spoke and the natural leadership ability he brought to the West Side.

Chicago and DeRozan were made for each other. He looked back on the trade that brought him to town as a day that changed his outlook on life.

“It’s meant everything,” he said of Chicago. “It’s been a resurgence of my passion, my happiness, my joy, my hard work and everything I went through personally. It just put everything back in perspective for me, for the love of the game. And I show it every time I go out there on the court.”

DeRozan was joined on the East reserve list by the Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid, Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo, Milwaukee Bucks’ Jrue Holiday, New York Knicks’ Julius Randle and Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton. Former Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen was among the Western Conference reserves.

Though he wished another Bulls teammate had made the game — LaVine would have been the only possibility — DeRozan was honored to be selected by coaches, the ones who know the game more than anyone.

“It means a lot,” he said. “I never take anything like that lightly or for granted at all. I’m very appreciative.”

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Being shut out of the All-Star Game would’ve been a tough pill to swallow for an organization with three former All-Stars on the roster in DeRozan, LaVine and Nikola Vučević. But the Bulls avoided that embarrassment.

“I wouldn’t use the word embarrassing,” coach Billy Donovan said. “You always want to see your guys rewarded for their play and what they’ve done. Obviously it’s a very, very prestigious honor. There’s not many guys that get a chance to be a part of it.”

DeRozan acknowledged it has been a “stressful” stretch for him as the leader and most prominent player on an inconsistent Bulls team. Trying to right the ship has been much more important to him than worrying about another All-Star nod.

“Just trying to keep the team in a positive place,” he said. “That’s been my main priority, and my main concern. It wasn’t (an All-Star selection) at all. If it came, it came. Since it’s here, got to deal with it and accept it, and I appreciate it is here. But you all know my mantra. I try and go out there and win every single game.”

In the end he spoke of what the game meant to him growing up in Compton, thinking it would be “impossible for me to even be in this position.” Not only did he make it, he excelled at his craft and nurtured his reputation as a player who never stopped working to improve his game.

“For me it’s a dream,” he said. “I’m pretty sure tonight after we get this win I’m going to lay in bed and be in awe again, reminiscing about everything I’ve done in my career.”