© Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
DeMar DeRozan shares he's got a lot of respect for Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan
The Chicago Bulls wingman DeMar DeRozan is the consummate professional. Now playing in his 15th season in the league, Deebo knows players can only control what they can, and one of the things they can do during a tempestuous season is to show respect and support for their coach. That’s why, when DeRozan was asked about Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, he had nothing but praise.
Poor start
Although the Bulls have played much better in their last few games, their record remains subpar at 10-17. While many speculate that Donovan may be on the hot seat, DeRozan remains unwavering in his support for his coach.
“I’ve played for Dwane Casey; he was coach of the year. I played for Gregg Popovich, arguably one of the greatest coaches of all time, and playing for Billy, my personal opinion, he’s up there with those two guys just from the respect, the effort that you get from him,” DeRozan shared.
Despite all the turmoil surrounding the Bulls, especially the talk regarding the futures of its core players such as Zach LaVine and even DeRozan, Donovan has kept their spirits high and remains a voice of positivity.
“He’s a guy you want to go out there and gain success, not just for yourself but for him, as well,” DeRozan added.
Lucky to have played under great coaches
NBA coaches play a crucial role in players’ careers. DeRozan has been fortunate enough to have worked with some of the best coaches in history. He’s learned a lot from Casey and Popovich during his time in Toronto and San Antonio, respectively. And although the Bulls haven’t had much success in the last three seasons, it isn’t all on Donovan’s shoulders.
“The love and respect that I have for Billy is right up there with what I had with the other two guys I mentioned. I’ve been lucky my entire career to have coaches like these guys. I tell a lot of the young players that you don’t really know what you have. To have such a great personable coach, hard-working coach in Billy, don’t ever take that for granted because it’s not always greener on the other side,” DeRozan shared.
