Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan won Clutch Player Award

Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan won Clutch Player Award originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago

For the second time this week, the Chicago Bulls finished second in voting for a major postseason award.

Following Coby White’s runner-up finish for the Most Improved Player award, won by Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey, DeMar DeRozan placed behind Golden State’s Stephen Curry in voting for the Clutch Player of the Year award.

Curry took home the Jerry West Trophy in the award’s second year of existence, with 45 first-, 18 second- and 19 third-place votes for a total of 298 points. DeRozan received 34 first-place votes, 27 second-place votes and 21 third-place votes, for a total of 272 points.

DeRozan finished third last season behind winner De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings and runner-up Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat. Coincidentally, DeRozan would have been a lock for the award in 2021-22 had he started then.

As it was, DeRozan still had a strong chance in the media vote after NBA coaches named players. Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander represented the third finalist.

Curry scored an NBA-record 189 points in clutch situations, defined as possessions in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or in overtime when the score is within five points. Curry also led the league in field goals scored (59) and three-point shots made (32). Curry shot 49.6% from the field, 45.7% from three-point range and 95.1% from the free throw line in clutch time.

DeRozan led the NBA in fourth-quarter and overtime points, scoring 550 and a franchise-record 56, respectively. He ranked second in clutch points with 182, shooting 48.7% in such situations. He led the NBA in free throws made and was second to Curry in goals scored.

What was in DeRozan’s favor was the fact that the Bulls led the NBA in wins and overtimes, as well as clutch minutes.

In fact, not only did the Bulls post a 27-17 record in clutch games as opposed to the Warriors’ 24-24 mark, but DeRozan was plus-94 in clutch situations while Curry was plus-21.

“I always try to enjoy the big moments in the game,” DeRozan said in an interview at the end of the season. “I’m a big football fan. And when I was young, I always paid attention to the defenders in 2-minute drills. I tried to apply that mentality to basketball.

“I’ve also made references to boxing before. The championship rounds go to another level mentally, emotionally. I try to channel my energy into those moments. And the game slows down a lot for me. At that point, you’re three-quarters in and you gets all the necessary data. It’s like a game of chess in the fourth quarter.

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