NBA
DeMar DeRozan Rising, San Antonio’s New Not So Lone Star
The morning after the Kawhi Leonard-DeMar DeRozan trade feels strangely unsettling, but ultimately, it feels final. The Spurs, a model NBA franchise in the eyes of many, faced an unsavory ordeal with its newest projected franchise cornerstone, Leonard clamoring to be traded. Though Kawhi’s desires to be dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers did not pan out as he wished. Instead, he was brokered to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for their franchise face, DeRozan. This, in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.
The next 24 hours would consist of nearly every NBA basketball media outlet and twitter head sharing their opinion about the deal. Conversations varied from who won the deal, to player loyalty, team loyalty, and the hypocrisy of NBA front offices. The most irksome aspect of this trade though is the seemingly dismissal of the DeRozan as just a mere compensatory trade chip, casted away by his franchise to get an all-world player in Leonard.
Read Between The Lines
But if you read in between the lines of the chatter Wednesday, you would have noticed something peculiarly fantastic in this in favor of DeRozan and eventually the San Antonio Spur. Former Toronto Raptors’ players like Lou Williams and Terrence Ross loyally showing their disdain with the DeRozan trade. To the point of citing organizational dishonesty, betrayal, and requesting DeRozan be acknowledged in his rightful place as the best player in Raptors’ history (rivaled only by Vince Carter).
Although I’m sure it exists, there was very little credible evidence of any vitriol towards DeRozan for his contributions to the Raptors. DeRozan’s commitment to the franchise, or his standing among his teammates, current or former. By all accounts, he was everything an NBA franchise covets in their marquee player, except he could not take them to the NBA Promised Land, an NBA championship. There may have been where the problem between him and his front office may have forked in the road.
Who Can Blame DeRozan?
However, who can blame DeRozan for coming up short? It is easy to sit on our couches and criticize. However,he only has had to face the best player in basketball, LeBron James. In addition, the Cleveland Cavaliers for three consecutive years, a task that has proven too difficult for any Eastern Conference team to overcome. Although Toronto seemed suited for the task by regular season prowess and a roster built to win, DeRozan and/or his back-court mate Kyle Lowry could not put it together when it mattered most against the Cavaliers. LeBron, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love proved to be too formidable for their talents and poise.
Then came this season. Toronto was the number one seed in the East. LeBron was carrying a team of vagabonds (no disrespect-intended) through the NBA playoffs. However, if the Raptors would ever beat James, this would be the year. Needless to mentioned, with Irving missing from the equation. Honestly, the meltdown appeared more psychological than anything. DeRozan specifically appeared to be a shell of himself when facing the LeBron led team. However, that speculative, and the verdict is what it is. He and his team were not good enough.
DeRozan Won
The poetic injustice or outright tragedy to this whole thing is on July 1st, LeBron James abandoned the Cleveland Cavaliers for Hollywood. This, leaving the Eastern Conference wide open for the taking. It is arguable that the Toronto Raptors roster, as it currently is constructed, would have easily challenged to represent the Eastern Conference in the 2018-19 NBA Finals. With the Celtics and 76ers being their most formidable obstacles. DeMar and Toronto brass had to see this as an opportunity to capitalize…the problem is, they just didn’t see DeRozan as the leader to take them there. We could easily make a case that DeRozan deserved better than the fate of being sacrificed for what Toronto sees as a worthy gamble in acquiring a disgruntled Leonard. Also, not to take lightly, who has expressed ire about playing north of the border. However, I would argue this: DeRozan won!
DeRozan won despite his loyalty. Even taking a pay cut in to allow Raptors to make other key roster moves like re-signing Lowry. In addition to the signing of Serge Ibaka, and Powell. Nevertheless, he landed in the one city that is equally loyal to its superstars, San Antonio. The Spurs have won five NBA championships, all within a span of 15 seasons. During that tenure, the franchise was anchored by a fading star in David Robinson. The star of that dynasty in Tim Duncan, and the star of the future in Leonard.
Air Apparent
Sure, there were other great players along the way who mean tons to the Spurs like Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, and Sean Elliot, but Duncan the best of that bunch. He was the glue. Kawhi was thought to be the heir apparent to carry the franchise forward, but that’s no more. They need a new guy, a new glue guy. And though many will point to LaMarcus Aldridge, at age 34, he is nearing the end of his basketball prime. San Antonio holds onto players in their later years longer than almost any other franchise if it senses you have bought into the San Antonio Way…that way is to be coachable, role oriented, family themed, and driven for excellence.
What Does DeRozan Seek?
So, if it is reciprocity DeRozan seeks for his loyalty and devotion, San Antonio may be the best place he could have ever been traded to. He brings the obvious intangibles that the media has failed to highlight over the years. However, it is evident based on the way his former teammates rushed to his defense in his exit. One thing I have not seen publicly is any San Antonio players, current or past, lamenting over Leonard’s departure from San Antonio. But for DeRozan, embrace your new surroundings. Enjoy your new state tax reprieve, and possibly some of the best brisket in the world. San Antonio rewards high character stars like DeRozan. Young man, reap your rewards.
