Is DeMar DeRozan really an MVP candidate? The case for why and why not

The Chicago Bulls have started off as one of the hottest teams in the NBA thanks in large part to the stellar play of veteran DeMar DeRozan.

The Chicago Bulls have started off as one of the hottest teams in the NBA thanks in large part to the stellar play of veteran DeMar DeRozan.

I had Chicago as one of the league’s leaders in “best vibes” so far in 2021-22 and the offseason addition of DeRozan played a huge role in that evaluation.

The Bulls have played thirteen games this season and DeRozan has already recorded 35 points on three separate occasions. He has managed to score at least 25 points in eight of his thirteen appearances and he has not yet been held below 17 points.

But as the team continues to ascend higher and higher in the regular-season standings — they’re just a half-game back of the Washington Wizards for the pole position in the Eastern Conference — more and more people are noticing how well DeRozan is playing.

That means that the conversations about whether or not DeRozan (who got a vote for Most Valuable Player in 2017 and then a few more in 2018) is a rightful MVP candidate are going to start fairly soon. So I wanted to get in front of the curve on this one and address that question straight away.

Here is why I think DeRozan may get some consideration for the honors, even if he doesn’t win the hardwood.