DeMar DeRozan considers now-teammate Torrey Craig one of his best defenders

Deebo and Torrey Craig turned from competitive foes to teammates.

© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bulls wingman DeMar DeRozan is one of the best mid-range scorers the NBA has ever seen, and the list of defenders he has a hard time getting past is short. Deebo has been doing his thing for 15 seasons already, and there isn't any defensive coverage—whether individual or team-imposed—that he has not seen or beaten.

However, Demar opened up back in September of 2022 and gave praise to a man who would, several months later, become his teammate on the Bulls—Torrey Craig. A physical presence and disciplined in his methods, Craig is one defender that DeRozan is wary of.

"I give him top two players in the league that defends me the best," DeRozan said during his appearance on JJ Redick's podcast, "The Old Man and the Tree."

Epic game

To solidify his point, DeRozan recalled the epic game between the Bulls and the Indiana Pacers back in January of 2022. Down by one with just seconds remaining, Deebo shocked the Pacers and sent the basketball world into hysterics when he hit an improbable one-legged three-pointer at the buzzer to help the Bulls escape with a 108-106 win.

As spectacular as the play was, Deebo explained that the one-legged shot came out of necessity. DeRozan boldly added that had he shot the ball in a normal motion, there was no doubt in his mind that Craig would block the shot.

"In my mind, I'm like, 'I'm not gonna make it to the rim with how tired I am if I try to shoot a fadeaway off two feet,'" DeRozan said. "And the way [Craig] was contesting me all night, he was gonna block it."

"So in my mind, I crossed, and I know he's not gonna expect me to shoot off one leg. And I went off one leg just to be able to get the shot off because if I shot a fadeaway off two feet, he would have blocked it. No question he would have blocked it."

Rough night

DeRozan may have had the final say, but the evening was by no means a walk in the park for the All-Star player. He had 28 points but missed 16 of his 24 attempts from the field, thanks to the solid defense of Craig.

Craig also filled the stat sheet up to the tune of 10 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two blocks. Safe to say, DeRozan may be relieved that Craig will soon be wearing the same uniform as him.