Melissa Rohlin
FOX Sports NBA Writer
It was a dizzying second for the Sacramento Kings after they fired two-time coach of the 12 months Mike Brown on Friday, marking the newest setback for six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan, who joined the crew in free company final summer time with the hopes of successful his first NBA championship alongside De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
The Kings had been a beautiful touchdown spot for DeRozan, particularly after drawing consideration in 2023, reaching the playoffs for the primary time in 17 years and forcing an exciting, hard-fought seven-game first-round sequence towards then- reigning champion Golden. State Warriors.
It appeared like their potential was simply beginning to peak and buying a expertise of DeRozan’s caliber might push them over the sting.
But the Kings have struggled this season and are in twelfth place within the Western Conference with a disappointing 13-19 report. Most lately, they misplaced six video games in a row.
For DeRozan, who was additionally contemplating the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat in free company, it was a harder highway than anticipated.
“It’s been a course of,” DeRozan advised FOX Sports. “I’ve been by means of loads to this point this season. I’m simply attempting to determine it out. But generally that builds character and brings one other type of resilience in you.”
DeRozan acknowledged that it was a little bit of a shock when the Kings fired Brown, who was the unanimous Coach of the Year in 2023.
“I have not processed it but,” DeRozan advised FOX Sports. “It simply occurred (Friday). I got here (to Los Angeles), noticed household, went to sleep, awoke, in all probability will not actually perceive till (Sunday).”
One cause the Kings focused DeRozan, a savvy 35-year-old veteran, was as a result of their offense had gone from first within the league in 2023 to thirteenth final season. DeRozan is a talented ball handler and scorer who has among the best midrange video games within the league.
This season, he’s averaging 20.7 factors on 48 p.c capturing from the sphere and 30.9 p.c from past the arc, serving to the Kings’ offensive ranking enhance to seventh.
(RELATED: No class, no balls: NBA coaches react to Kings firing two-time coach of the 12 months Mike Brown)
Fox mentioned his new co-star was a terrific addition to the crew’s roster, regardless of consultants questioning whether or not he was the best match as a result of the Kings wanted to beef up from past the arc on the defensive finish.
“Just the way in which he can come down and lead,” Fox mentioned. He places his stamp on the sport. I believe he is a significantly better attacking midfielder than folks give him credit score for, particularly once they see doubles. Sometimes, nice gamers have to attain by means of doubles. But a number of occasions he makes the best play.”
But when requested what it will take for Fox, Sabonis and DeRozan to achieve their potential, Fox did not hesitate.
“We’ll begin on the defensive finish,” Fox mentioned of the Kings, who’re seventeenth in defensive ranking. “We’ve been high 10 offensively for many of the 12 months, in order that’s not our downside. At the tip of the day, in some unspecified time in the future we’ve got to get shifting and make stops when needed.”
The Kings’ defensive holes had been on show of their newest loss to the Lakers (132-122) on Saturday. The Kings allowed the Lakers to shoot 59.7% from the sphere and 53.8% from past the 3-point line in a sport by which LeBron James was sidelined on account of sickness.
But for DeRozan, who scored 25 factors on 12-of-17 capturing, seven assists and 6 rebounds, he apparently had no concept what might need occurred if he had joined that crew as an alternative.
DeRozan and the Lakers practically crossed paths a number of occasions, with him believing it was a executed deal that they might commerce for him in 2021 when he was with San Antonio. But LA modified course and continued buying and selling for Russell Westbrook. For DeRozan, who grew up in Compton as a Lakers fan, it was an enormous disappointment on the time. But his journey as an alternative took him to Chicago, the place he as soon as once more turned an All-Star in 2022 and 2023 after not making the crew three years earlier.
DeRozan mentioned he not wistfully wonders “what if” with the crew he grew up idolizing.
“No, not anymore,” DeRozan advised FOX Sports. “I do not give it some thought anymore, actually. The alternative has handed. Just transfer on.”
In current years, DeRozan has not solely made headlines for his sturdy play on the courtroom, but in addition for his candor about his psychological well being points and his dedication to encouraging others in have to get assist.
DeRozan’s path has taken him to 4 completely different groups within the final seven years. He went from practically reaching the NBA Finals with Toronto to being shocked by a commerce with the rebuilding San Antonio Spurs in 2018, which he acknowledged initially left him in a tailspin. But DeRozan discovered issues to love at every cease, together with, in San Antonio, particularly Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
DeRozan grew near Popovich, who cried with him after his father’s demise in February 2021, one thing he revealed on the “10/25 Show.” Popovich wrote the foreword to his ebook about his psychological wellness journey, “Above the Noise.” And after Popovich suffered a stroke in November, DeRozan made it clear he’ll perpetually be by his facet.
“I have not spoken to him however he understands the place I’m at, our relationship, the love and respect I’ll at all times have for him,” DeRozan mentioned. “I at all times want him properly. But solely to let him get again to well being. I’m positive I’ll discuss to him quickly.”
DeRozan’s path has been winding and his newest problem is a giant one, but when there’s one factor he is discovered from his journey, it is perspective.
He’s taking part in alongside some nice younger expertise and embracing the curler coaster, figuring out that at each flip one thing surprising might occur.
So when requested how he would describe the season to this point, he did not sugarcoat issues or overreact. Instead, he is throwing himself into work and embracing every thing that awaits him.
“It’s laborious to say what it was apart from a visit proper now,” he advised FOX Sports. “Going by means of the method. Understanding it. But it was enjoyable.”
Melissa Rohlin is an NBA author for FOX Sports. He beforehand coated the league for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Times, the Bay Area News Group and the Saint Anthony Express News. Follow her on Twitter @by Melissarohl.
DeMar DeRozan
Sacramento Kings
National Basketball Association
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