In a recent appearance on ESPN’s *First Take*, DeMar DeRozan—a six-time NBA All-Star—praised his former coach Billy Donovan, following his trade to the Sacramento Kings. As he prepared for his 16th season, DeRozan thought back on their three Chicago Bulls seasons together.
“Dude, I adore Billy D. [Donovan]. DeRozan praised him as an amazing coach and person. “He accepted me there and gave me the confidence to take charge.” He’s an even greater guy than a fantastic coach. I believe he is underappreciated and doesn’t receive the recognition he merits. I love and respect him unconditionally. In Chicago, he made it simple for me to be authentic.”
"I love Billy [Donovan], man. [He's] one heck of a person and coach… I feel like he don't get the props that he fully deserves as a coach. He's definitely underrated. He allowed me to be myself."
DeMar DeRozan showing love for his former Bulls coach 💯pic.twitter.com/131Nk7Zlsi
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 11, 2024
Despite the Bulls’ difficulties in the postseason, DeRozan flourished under Donovan. During the 2021–22 campaign, DeRozan shot a career-best 35.2% from three-point range and scored a career-high 27.9 points per game, along with 5.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists. He also shot 50.4% from the field. Through his efforts, the Bulls were able to secure the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and a 46-36 record.
Even though DeRozan had a fantastic individual campaign, the team’s momentum was hampered by injuries to important players like Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball, which resulted in a first-round playoff elimination against the Milwaukee Bucks. In the seasons that followed, the Bulls were unable to sustain their success, which finally led to DeRozan’s trade to Sacramento.
Along with his scoring prowess, DeRozan brings to the Kings the leadership traits he honed under Donovan. He feels that Donovan is not given enough credit in the NBA and has pleasant memories of his time spent with his previous coach.
Following a dismal conclusion to the previous campaign, the Kings are hoping to bounce back. They advanced to the playoffs in the 2022–2023 season after winning 46 games, but the New Orleans Pelicans defeated them in the Play-In round. It is anticipated that DeRozan’s experience will be vital to the youthful team’s ability to go farther in the postseason.
And DeRozan still has a lot of respect for Billy Donovan as he starts this new journey with the Kings. Even though he no longer works for Chicago, he still has respect for his former coach.
Max Strus’s injury is updated by Kenny Atkinson.
During the Cleveland Cavaliers’ preseason game against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, forward Max Strus sustained a right hip contusion. Halfway through the second quarter, Strus left the game and did not come back.
The very next day, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson provided some clarification regarding Strus’s injury status. Strus did not take part in the team’s Wednesday practice, but Atkinson made a suggestion that he would suit up for Cleveland’s upcoming preseason game against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.
#Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson tells me Max Strus is day-to-day going forward and did not practice today.
When asked if Strus will play tomorrow, Atkinson said, “We’ll see.”
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) October 9, 2024
Before his night was out, Strus had just two rebounds and one assist while going without a basket.
Strus hasn’t been particularly affected by injuries in recent years. In each of his previous three NBA seasons, he has suit up for at least 68 games, including 80 during the 2022–2023 regular season while he was a member of the Heat. In addition, he made 70 appearances during his inaugural Cavalier season.
As Atkinson hasn’t ruled Strus out of Thursday’s game and his previous injury history doesn’t seem particularly concerning, Cavaliers fans shouldn’t appear to be concerned about Strus’ availability come opening day of the 2024–25 regular season.
It will be one week from now till the Cavaliers’ new season begins. On October 23, Cleveland and Strus will take on the Toronto Raptors in a game that, on paper, the Cavaliers should win. The Raptors, who won just 25 games the previous season, are currently in the midst of a reconstruction.
In what was possibly a breakout year for him, Strus will look to improve in his second Cleveland season. With the Cavaliers in a starting role, he averaged career-highs in points (12.2), rebounds (4.8), assists (4.0), and steals (0.9) per game in the 2023–24 regular season.
But in order for him to keep getting better, he needs to be fully fit whenever he plays for Cleveland, so perhaps the Cavaliers should bench Strus against the Pacers out of caution. Given that there isn’t much to play for in the preseason, there is another reason to sit Strus after that game.
