Why DeRozan’s LeBron comment was not a Good Look

Game 4 was a roller coaster ride of epic proportions. There were highs and lows throughout the game by the Toronto Raptors and their main guy: DeMar DeRozan.

In the game, Cory Joseph made a case that he could be potentially be a quality starting point guard. At the same time, P.J Tucker played an effective two way game that made him look like poor man’s Kawhi Leonard.

Unfortunately, Kyle Lowry was not able to suit up in game four. In addition, Demarre Carroll and Patrick Patterson, players that were expected to play key roles, put up duds.

In the end, all the Raptors’ efforts ultimately ended in a disappointing loss 109-102 to end their season. As a result, another team fell victim to the broom of the mighty King James.

The words of DeMar DeRozan in the post-game press conference made headlines of its own, as reported by Ben Golliver.

In the interview, DeMar DeRozan contends that

"“if we had LeBron our team too, we woulda won”."

At first, the comment by DeRozan just seems like an answer to a question in which DeRozan just states the obvious.

It also appears to be harmless, as he shows respect for one of the greatest to ever do it. Though, after some reflection, here’s why DeRozan’s comments stab himself and his team in the back.

DeRozan’s Comments Cheat Himself and his Teammates

DeRozan’s comments imply that LeBron rules the east. Although it may already be known across the league and media, there is something about explicitly stating it that shows weakness. DeRozan hangs his head in a way that almost makes it seem tragic.

With the statment, DeRozan implies that as long as LeBron is playing at this level (I would assume at least for the next 4 years), no other team in the East will every dethrone the King.

DeRozan seems defeated because he believes that he has no shot at getting to the finals even if he continues to improve.

In turn, this gives the psychological advantage to LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers going forward. This is because they already have DeRozan discouraged and beat mentally.

I would hope that I am reading too much into this and DeMar will indeed be hungrier than ever to become an MVP caliber player.

But with his words, DeMar is not only cheating himself of the process and his ceiling, he is also cheating his teammates.

Cory Joseph, P.J. Tucker and Norman Powell all demonstrated flashes of brilliance throughout the post-season.

They demonstrated parts of their game that they have never previously showed. Thus, the comments unfairly critique his teammates who have stayed ready and have worked extremely hard to help DeRozan be in the position that he is.

DeMar’s Comments Cheat Management and Competition

It also cheats management, specifically Masai Ujiri, who has worked actively to attempt creating a championship product specifically designed to deter LeBron James.

In this way, through the statment, DeRozan is simultaneously cutting himself, his teammates, his coaches and management short.

As such, DeRozan’s comments are not the comments of a true competitor.

Indiana Pacers shooting guard Reggie Miller never seemed to voice Michael Jordan’s part in keeping him ring-less until Reg’s playing days were over. This is because he was the ultimate competitor.

There was also a guy in LA- who wore 8 and 24, who also would never have let such a defeated thought cross his mind.

DeRozan Fails to Live up to His Idol

It is no secret that growing up in California, DeRozan looked up to Kobe Bryant. We have seen flashes of Kobe’s game in DeMar’s game.

DeMar has adopted many moves from the Black Mamba- from the two-dribble pull up, to the rocker step, to the fade-away over the left shoulder.

However, copying your favorite player should also include copying his mentality. Kobe idolized Jordan.

This meant a frightening imitation of his mannerisms and mentality in addition to his game. Kobe, like MJ, was so obsessed with winning that they would find a way to do it with the cast of players around them.

Kobe would have never admitted defeat, nor would he admit that there was no way he could be beat the Boston Celtics in 2009 or the countless Tim Duncan led San Antonio Spurs championship teams.

Even after losing in embarrassing fashion in 2008 by 39, Kobe never admitted that his opponent was unbeatable. Instead, he went to the gym and work fearlessly so that he could put himself in a position to win in 2009.

Thus, DeMar’s comment is in no way Kobe-esque. They are not the words that should be spoken of the leader of a championship caliber ball club.

 Leadership is Essential to Championships

Good leaders in the NBA are leaders by both their actions and words. They often hold themselves accountable and never try to intentionally speak badly about others unless they feel it will motivate them.

LeBron James is not shy to criticize his teammates when he feels they are not playing to their potential. At the same time, he often gives credit to his teammates in wins, despite being visibly the result of his unparalleled basketball talent.

He also has the resume that proves that he knows how to get it done in June to validate any criticism of teammates.

This 2017 post-season has also been the site of poor leaders.

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George put his teammates on blast on multiple occasions after being swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He criticized swingman C.J Miles for not giving him the ball in the dying seconds of game 1. He then went on to criticize Myles Turner and Lance Stephenson after game 2.

Similarly, DeRozan took a similar route of cowardice and avoiding accountability on his end. He attributed the series loss to simply LeBron’s greatness rather than his own play.

I would have much rather seen DeRozan say that this onus was on him. I would admire if he critiqued his own game and how we could have done better.

Conclusion

DeMar DeRozan has been explicit about having Toronto and being the main man. This has given him all the praise in wins. In the same breadth then, DeRozan needs to take the majority of the blame in losses.

Perhaps the lack of confidence and accountability by PG and DeMar is the frustration from getting punished by LeBron.

Perhaps I am looking too much into DeMar DeRozan’s word choice. Maybe his statement is just simply acknowledging how valuable LeBron is on a basketball court.

One thing is for sure though, actions always speak louder than words. Hopefully, DeMar’s actions come in the form of continued improvement and an eventual MVP caliber season in 2017-2018.

If this occurs, then maybe in the near future, Eastern Conference opponents will be saying “If we had DeMar, we woulda won”.